Dead blue whale floating at the ocean surface | Sri Lanka

This male blue whale was most likely killed by a ship strike. There is a large wound in the animal's caudal area, suggesting a direct bow strike by a large vessel. There is a high level of shipping traffic south of Sri Lanka, where container vessels and other large ships travel through shipping lanes on a continuous basis. These shipping lanes are situated in the middle of feeding grounds for blue whales and other cetaceans, putting these animals at high risk of ship strikes. Photo taken under permit.

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Filename: dead-blue-whale-floating-ocean-surface-sri-lanka-201204-0607.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication without prior written permission
Image Size: 3264x4896 / 45.8MB; https://www.photoshelter.com/support/license#rm; https://www.tony-wu.com/contact-tony-wu; Chordata Animalia Blue Whale Cetartiodactyla Cetacea Mammalia Mysticete Rorqual Marine Mammal Balaenoptera musculus Baleen Whale Mysticeti Indian Ocean Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda Balaenoptera musculus indica Balaenopteridae Endangered: IUCN Red List Sri Lanka Mirissa CITES Appendix 1 Pygmy Blue Whale Filter Feeder Ship Strike Dead Deceased Male
Contained in galleries: Blue Whales, Marine Life | Sri Lanka, Dead Marine Life, Ship Strikes, Strandings, Skeletons

This male blue whale was most likely killed by a ship strike. There is a large wound in the animal's caudal area, suggesting a direct bow strike by a large vessel. There is a high level of shipping traffic south of Sri Lanka, where container vessels and other large ships travel through shipping lanes on a continuous basis. These shipping lanes are situated in the middle of feeding grounds for blue whales and other cetaceans, putting these animals at high risk of ship strikes. Photo taken under permit.