Baby Humpback whale found dead on Mexican beach *VIDEO*

Jan. 15 – A 14-foot long humpback is found dead on a southern Mexican beach, thought to have been killed in an attack by a killer whale. Deborah Gembara reports.

This baby humpback whale was discovered on a beach in southern Mexico — dead from what authorities say appears to have been an attack by a killer whale. Local fishermen found the 14 ft. humpback not far from the tourist town of Hutalco.

Humpback whale found dead on beach by reuters

These teeth marks are what prompted investigators from Universidad del Mar to conclude the humpback had been attacked by a killer whale while at sea. SOUNDBITE: Francisco Villegas, an investigator from Universidad del Mar saying: “We are examining the probable causes of the beaching.

There are lesions on the exterior of the whale and we think that it was attacked by a killer whale.

It has lesions from teeth, in a very tight linear group, which is characteristic of these attacks.”

The swollen tongue is likely to have been caused by air being forced into the tongue at the moment of the attack.

Scientists in Alaska have also reported finding whales with enlarged tongue, the swelling a result of having collided with a boat. Investigators took measurements and photos of the whale before allowing locals to bury it at the beach. Deborah Gembara, Reuters.

reuters.com

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