https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/hundreds-of-baby-whales-have-died-in-argentina-this-year-and-scientists-are-scrambling-to-understand-why-180989762/
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“Southern right whales were hunted to the brink of extinction during the 19th and 20th centuries.”
“Hundreds of Baby Whales Have Died in Argentina This Year—and Scientists Are Scrambling to Understand Why Skip to main content Search Shop Newsletters Renew Give a Gift Subscribe Membership i Subscribe Give a Gift Renew Sections Smart News History Science Innovation Arts & Culture Travel At the Smithsonian More from Smithsonian magazine Newsletters Photo Contest Podcast Videos Our Partners Smithsonian Store Smithsonian Journeys Subscribe to Smithsonian magazine and get a FREE tote.”
“Scientists are still trying to understand what could have made it so deadly this year.”
“rhusiopathiae was first detected in southern right whale calves in 2013.”
“Every year, southern right whales migrate to the sheltered waters off Argentina’s Peninsula Valdes to give birth and rear their young.”
“One possibility is that the bacteria itself has evolved, leading to more severe infections.”
“The deaths might also be connected to changes to marine conditions, such as water temperature, salinity or pH, possibly caused by climate change or El Niño .”
“Maxi Jonas / AFP via Getty Images Hundreds of whale calves have washed up dead along Argentina’s coast in recent months, leaving scientists scrambling to determine what’s causing the deaths.”
“Necropsies revealed that some of the juvenile and adult whales were in good physical condition and had large amounts of food in their stomachs when they died.”
““What would be concerning is if there were two, three or four episodes like this,” Coscarella tells Live Science .”
“But this year, experts say the death toll appears to be much higher than usual.”
“The blooms were also responsible for an unusual mortality event that primarily affected adult females in 2022.”
“Southern right whales have exceptionally long life spans, with some individuals possibly reaching 150 years old .”
“Scientists think the more than dozen deaths might be related to harmful algal blooms, which occur when toxic algae grow rapidly due to climatic and environmental conditions.”
“Southern right whales in Argentina In early September, scientists counted 1,375 total southern right whales—including 409 calves—off the coast of Chubut province.”
“Meanwhile, juvenile and adult whales have also been found dead in Argentine Patagonia, which is unusual, reports Delfina Torres Cabreros for El País .”
“They’re holding off on releasing the final tally until after the season ends.”
“But these massive marine mammals—which can weigh up to 176,000 pounds and reach lengths of up to 56 feet—still face numerous threats .”
“Those samples tested positive for Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, a bacterium that can cause a skin infection called erysipelas.”
“They’re vulnerable to chemical and noise pollution, entanglement in fishing gear, climate change, habitat degradation and vessel strikes .”
“However, the population has rebounded since an international moratorium on commercial whaling was enacted in the 1980s.”