A juvenile minke whale that had been repeatedly stranded in the San Francisco Bay was euthanized by experts at the Marine Mammal Center due to its deteriorating health. The whale showed signs of severe sunburn, breathing difficulties, and unusual behavior. This decision was made after the whale was spotted stranded in shallow water multiple times and was determined to have little chance of survival. The rare minke whale, rarely seen in the area, may have come looking for food but continuously being seen near shallow water raised concerns.
This incident follows the recent discovery of three dead gray whales in the same area within a two-week period. The cause of death for the gray whales is unclear, but one had evidence of being struck by a passing vessel. Officials are working to reduce the threat of such strikes in the area, with increased communication between ferry operators and harbor safety officials to ensure the safety of both whales and boats in the bay.
Experts at the Marine Mammal Center had attempted to rescue and rehabilitate the minke whale but ultimately made the difficult decision to euthanize it due to its poor health and stress levels. The results of a necropsy on the whale are expected to be available in several weeks. As the gray whale migration continues through the area, it is important for boaters to be aware and cautious when navigating the waters to avoid collisions with whales.
