'Stunning' 47-foot fin whale washes ashore near Anchorage's Westchester Lagoon

A 47-foot fin whale washed ashore near Anchorage's Westchester Lagoon. Biologists believe it is a young female and are investigating the cause of its beaching.

Comment from Gemini:

The attached observations provide valuable context for this recent fin whale stranding in Anchorage. Several highlight the challenges in determining the cause of death for these large marine mammals. The December 2023 Kodiak Island observation describes a fin whale found in an emaciated state with bruises, while the August 2020 Unalaska report notes the difficulties of conducting necropsies, especially during the pandemic. The other attached observation also details a fin whale stranding in Anchorage, underscoring that while not common, such events do occur in the upper Cook Inlet. Another observation describes a fin whale stranding in San Diego, reminding us that these events are not isolated to Alaska. While ship strikes are a known threat to whales, particularly fin whales as noted in a 2016 incident mentioned in this observation (though not included as a related observation), the lack of visible injuries on the Anchorage whale raises questions. Malnutrition, disease, and entanglement in fishing gear are other possible factors, as are harmful algal blooms, which have been increasing in Alaskan waters. Alaska Harmful Algal Bloom Network: https://www.seator.org/data/projects/alaska-hab-network/ It is important for biologists to collect as much data as possible from these strandings to better understand potential causes and contribute to broader conservation efforts. The public's interest, as evidenced by the crowds visiting the whale, also presents an opportunity for education and outreach regarding the health of our oceans and the challenges faced by these magnificent creatures.