NBC News Bay Area/Local/Lisa Fernandez, 5/6/15, includes video 2.54 minutes. "Probable Ship Strike" caused death of Humpback whale in Pacifica: scientists."
Note: the closing video comment from Lisa Fernandez, Reporter. "SF Park and Rec may be burring both whale carcasses tomorrow, (5/7/15)."
| Humpback whale |
A "probable ship strike" killed a
humpback whale that washed up in Pacifica earlier this week, scientists
performing a necropsy on the mammal said Wednesday, (5/6/15). Laura
Sherr, spokeswoman for The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, said the
whale had "four fractured vertebrae with surrounding hemorrhaging, and
one broken rib," that led scientists to their conclusion. "This happens
occasionally,
" she said. Later in the day the scientists realized they couldn't come to a final
conclusion about the cause of death because they couldn't find any more
broken ribs. |
| Sperm whale |
----------
Related, last whale (Humpback whale). Click 2 Houston.com, 5/6/15, video 1.23 minutes, "Spate of dead whales puzzles California biologists," "A dead whale washed ashore on a beach in Pacifica, California, Tuesday (5/5/15).
It's the fifth whale to end up on a Northern California beach in three
weeks. Experts say it's natural for whales to die. What is unusual is
the strong wind that is blowing the dead whales to shore." KRON 4/SFist/Thisa Estacio/Pacifica, 5/5/15, video 2:59 minutes, "Another dead whale washes ashore in Pacifica." "What remains to be seen: how to dispose of the whale carcass. We all know what not to do, but what is environmentally encouraged?"
Related, first whale (sperm whale). San Francisco Chronicle/SF Gate/Associated Press/Kristin J. Bender and Jeff Chiu, 4/16/15, "Experts remove whale carcass near San Francisco." (Not really). "Disposing of a large marine mammal like this is no small feat. Multiple
agencies are working together to determine the best course of action,"
said Dr. Claire Simeone, a veterinarian at the Marine Mammal Center.
Note: photograph/graphics: Humpback whale from 7 Themes.com/Wallpapers. Sperm whale by Brian J. Skerry from National Geographic.
Posted by Kathy Meeh
25 comments:
Nice to finally hear that something might happen to dispose of them. The stench out on the berm is really obnoxious. To bad they've fiddled around to long to make it practical to tow them out. I've read burying them can be problematic as their oil seeps up to the surface as they decay.
Are the whales gone?
Nope still there and stinkin'
Pretty soon they can just hose them off
the beach. Pacifica City Council must have been overcome by the smell, struck dumb, and rendered completely irrelevant. Can we hose them off?
Not yet still a lot of rotting to be done and funny thing I don't see any carrion hanging around.
Leave them there long enough then say, oh we can't move them now.
Diversion 101!
Does anyone know of a friendly INUIT tribe that might want to contract for the job? They know how to hunt and render whales.
Sharon Maybe there not ripe enough yet.
If anybody knows how to scrimshaw the teeth and bone would be valuable. Hint,hint City of Pacifica lay claim to the whales now,bury them and dig up the bones later for sale.
How about piano keys?
Piano keys? Oh no. Don't tell me we have dead elephants, too.
Tom
What part of the whales are both endangered species don't they understand.
Ignorance of the law is no excuse!
cute chit chat about the teeth, boys. illegal to take any part of a sperm whale. Can't collect snowy plover teeth either...
@6:33 & 9:38 can you advise/cite regarding the laws governing the disposal of endangered species. Would like more info about that. Thanks
Sharon, It's the ultimate political football. State beach but within the county and city footprint and a nuisance to city and county residents. Forget this city. Maybe try SMC Dept of Environmental Health. The advanced stage of decomp limits the choices here. In March, authorities decided to let a dead whale beached in Santa Cruz decompose in place. They sort of cut it up a bit to speed things along. Looks like we're doing the same, but not announcing it. What a surprise.
Thanks 10:15 I am aware of the political issues regarding who's property the whales are beached on but 6:33 and 9:38 seemed to indicate there are specific laws and regulations governing the disposal of dead endangered species and I am curious about those.
Sharon
The whales are endangered species regardless if they are dead or alive.
So you say but is there something in the endangered species act that addresses this specific issue or any other federal, state or municipal laws or regulations? If so you better get out there right now and arrest that guy who is busy cutting up the sperm whale.
Sharon:
I know that there is a law that prevents the use of Whale bone & teeth for scrimshaw (to prevent the killing of whale) but I do not know if it has an exemption for bones & teeth of whales that died of natural causes.
If someone is out there cutting up a whale that could be the start of disposal. Either to haul away the remains or speed up decomp in place. Necropsy finished, right? No crime committed, but it would still be illegal to harvest any part. It's just a huge disposal problem and no one eager to do the job.
Back in the day when we had this same problem, Scott Holmes had it buried by someone already working nearby on the beach or the trail or something or other. Say what you will about the man, but Scott Holmes was a problem solver. He also knew there'd be no rush by fed, county or state to claim the honors. So he had it buried and some macho working class hero got to tell his kids he buried a whale.
Back in the day when we had this same problem, Scott Holmes had it buried by someone already working nearby on the beach or the trail or something or other. Not sure if DPW or a contractor. Say what you will about the man, but Scott Holmes was a problem solver. He also knew there'd be no rush by fed, county or state to do the job. So he had it buried and some macho working class hero got to tell his kids he buried a whale.
What an embarrassment to our city.
We absolutely cannot make up our minds to do ANYTHING!
No wonder the NOBIES have such a field day pushing everyone around. The only opposition they really face are blank stares.
Poor, poor Pacifica.
Gee, this must be really unpleasant for the golfers at Sharp Park. Anyone downwind, but those poor golfers. Is their a fund?
1156 Nobies. Those beasts! That lawful, democratic election was brutal!
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