On July 23, a humpback whale with a missing tail was observe off the coast of Washington state. Marine biologists suspect the whale’s tail was lost due to entanglement in fishing gear. Although the whale has shown remarkable adaptability, it is expect to face severe challenges, with starvation and exhaustion likely leading to its demise in the near future.
The flippers of the humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) play a crucial role in their movement through water, which is essential for their survival. Unfortunately, the oceans are often litter with fishing lines and other debris, leading to frequent entanglement issues for these majestic creatures.
Jessica Farrer, the lead responder and research director at The Whale Museum in Friday Harbor, Washington, express concern, stating, “It’s extremely troubling. This magnificent creature is missing a crucial part of its body, and we recognize that human activity is largely to blame for this situation.”
In addition to serving as a natural history museum, the institute plays a crucial role in aiding distress or strand marine mammals. It also provides educational resources for whale watchers, promoting best practices for responsible observation.
While Farrer is familiar with treating injure humpback whales, she had never encounter a situation as distressing as this one.
The whale, now known as Catalyst, was first sight on July 5 on the eastern side of Swindle Island. As report by the San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network, Catalyst was observe again on July 10 in the vicinity of Campbell River.
On July 23, a drone record footage of a humpback whale off the coast of Lopez Island. The video shows the whale using its pectoral fins to propel itself through the water.
After using its muscle to dive, the creature reveal its missing tail. Since being first spot, Catalyst has travel approximately 370 miles despite its injury.