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Blue Whale Fluke with Scars from Orca Attack | Sea of Cortez, Baja Peninsula, Mexico

This is the fluke of a well-known blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) nicknamed Nubbin that has been sighted repeatedly in the Sea of Cortez. The distinctive scars and indentations on this whale's fluke provide an unambiguous reference for identification. Note the scratches, which were most likely the result of an encounter with orcas.

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Filename: blue-whale-injured-fluke-baja-peninsula-sea-cortez-mexico-201302-0001.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No reproduction in any form without prior written permission
Image Size: 5190x3460 / 51.4MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Whale Blue Whale Animalia Chordata Mammalia Cetacea Mysticeti Balaenopteridae Balaenoptera musculus Cetartiodactyla Baleen Whale CITES Appendix 1 Endangered: IUCN Red List Filter Feeder Marine Mammal Mysticete Rorqual Fluke Injury Pacific Mexico Baja Peninsula Sea of Cortez
Contained in galleries: Blue Whales

This is the fluke of a well-known blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) nicknamed Nubbin that has been sighted repeatedly in the Sea of Cortez. The distinctive scars and indentations on this whale's fluke provide an unambiguous reference for identification. Note the scratches, which were most likely the result of an encounter with orcas.