Scientists search for answers as baby whales wash up dead in Argentina

Scientists are investigating a surge in the deaths of baby whales along Argentina's Patagonian coast near Peninsula Valdes. This breeding ground for southern right whales has seen a high number of calf carcasses washing ashore in recent months. The leading hypothesis suggests that marine bacteria, possibly introduced through injuries inflicted by kelp gulls while the vulnerable calves surface to breathe, may be the cause of death.

Southern right whales, once hunted to near extinction, have been monitored for 23 years, allowing researchers to recognize this unusual event. The carcasses have been found near the coastal city of Puerto Madryn, alarming residents and tourists. Biologists, veterinarians, and park rangers are collecting samples for testing to identify the bacteria and determine if it was the cause of death.

If confirmed, researchers aim to understand if human activities contribute to these deaths, as other threats to the species include declining food supplies, fishing gear entanglements, oil spills, and ship strikes.