NOAA Conducts Tests to Determine Fate of Whale Found Dead in Gulf of Mexico

[jus_the_facts]

Source: NOAA

Whale Not Found in Oiled Water, but Cause of Death Unknown
June 17, 2010


NOAA Ship Pisces.

High resolution (Credit: NOAA)
On Tuesday, June 15, the NOAA Ship Pisces reported a dead sperm whale floating 77 miles due south of the Deepwater Horizon spill site. NOAA is currently in the process of conducting thorough testing to determine the circumstances surrounding the mammal’s death, as well as collect information about its life. This is the first dead whale reported since BP’s rig exploded on April 20 It was not found in oiled waters; however, its location of death is unknown.

As soon as the whale was sighted, Pisces Field Party Chief Paul Felts called the marine mammal hotline to report the finding to the Wildlife Branch of the Unified Command and NOAA’s marine mammal experts.

Based on the estimated size of the whale, scientists believe it is a sub-adult. Its condition suggests it may have been dead for between several days to more than a week. Although it was not found in oiled water, NOAA marine mammal experts are using hindcasting analysis to look into the location from which the whale carcass may have drifted.



Read more: http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2010/20100617_whale.html

[LisaL]

1. What could it possibly be?

:eyes:

[FirstLight]

2. gah!

why are they acting like they don't know the DISPERSANTS are just as toxic?

[salguine]

3. I'm surprised BP allowed the tests.