Scientists Investigate Unusually High Whale Calf Mortality on Argentine Coast

Researchers are investigating the deaths of scores of southern right whale calves washing ashore in Argentina’s Chubut province, a key breeding site.

The primary hypothesis involves bacterial infections triggered by injuries from kelp gulls, which are exacerbated by climate-linked changes in marine temperatures.

Teams including biologists and park rangers are collecting skin and organ samples from carcasses to identify specific pathogens and determining environmental triggers.