Scientists search for answers as baby whales wash up dead in Argentina
Investigators suspect erysipelas or another marine bacterium, and they say bacteria have already been detected in tissue samples from the dead calves.
- On Thursday, scientists in Argentina's Patagonia region identified a suspected bacterial infection behind the mystery deaths of hundreds of southern right whale calves washed up on beaches in Chubut province.
- Mariano Coscarella, a researcher at the Marine Mammals Laboratory of Conicet, suspects an outbreak of erysipelas, a serious disease caused by bacteria commonly found on whale skin.
- Authorities have counted 1,375 specimens this year, including nearly 400 calves, while a record 2,110 whales, including 800 young, were counted last year in the area.
- "The death rate is quite high this season in particular," Coscarella confirmed, noting "It seems to be a natural cause however we cannot completely rule out the influence of human activity."
- These deaths "do not constitute a medium-term danger" for the population, given the southern right whale's 60-year average life span, according to experts studying breeding grounds near Valdes Peninsula.
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On the Argentine coast, the finds of dead South Glatt whales accumulate – especially calves are affected. Scientists are facing a search for traces that lead from aggressive seagulls to climate change.
Scientists investigate cause of rising baby whale deaths
Investigators in Argentina are trying to solve the mystery of baby whales washing up dead in unusually high numbers along the country’s Patagonian coast.Scores of the calf carcasses have been washing ashore around Peninsula Valdes, a major breeding ground for southern right whales in Argentina’s Chu
The area is an important breeding ground for southern right whales.
Associated Press News
Scientists search for answers as baby whales wash up dead in Argentina
Scientists in Argentina are trying to find out why unusually high numbers of baby whales are washing up dead along the Patagonian coast.
On Monday, a new whale-breeding appeared dead on the coasts of Puerto Madryn and last week another six.The largest annual record so far is 2012, with 113 deaths.
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