Federal officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration have kicked off an investigation into what they term a mysterious mass death of whales, saying the 30 or so carcasses that have washed up on the beach in the last four months is a highly unusual occurrence.
Since May, 11 fin whales, 14 humpbacks, one gray and four unidentified types have washed onto the shores of islands in the western Gulf of Alaska and the southern portion of the Alaska Peninsula, the NOAA said.
And the agency’s calling it an “unusual mortality event” of mystifying proportions, the Hill reported.
“While we do not yet know the cause of these strandings, our investigations will give us important information on the health of whales and the ecosystems where they live,” said Teri Rowles, coordinator of NOAA Fisheries’ Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response program, in the media outlet. “Members of the public can greatly assist the investigation by immediately reporting any sightings of dead whales or distressed live animals they discover.”
Researchers who are based in Alaska say they only see one dead whale a year, at the most.
NOAA officials say it could take years before they learn the cause of the deaths.
