SAUSALITO, Calif. (AP) — Scientists say human-caused injuries killed two whales found last week in the San Francisco Bay Area.
The Marine Mammal Center said Wednesday that a ship hit a 45-long fin whale that was found May 18 near Oakland. A necropsy found that the juvenile female had broken bones and massive hemorrhaging.
Researchers say the whale’s carcass was seen two days earlier, draped across the bow of a ship entering the bay.
Authorities say ship collisions are a leading cause of whale mortality.
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A second whale carcass also was found May 18 on a beach in Marin County. Authorities say the 36-foot adult female gray whale died after becoming entangled, probably fishing gear.
Gray whales are currently migrating up the coast from Mexico to Alaska.