Dead blue whale floating at the ocean surface with container ship in background | Sri Lanka

This is a dead blue whale, probably killed by a ship strike from a large commercial ship, much like the one visible in the background. Major shipping lanes pass directly through the feeding grounds of blue whales and other cetaceans in southern Sri Lanka, increasing the chances for fatal ship strikes like this. This whale was male, with the cause of death being a wound to the animal's caudal area. Photo taken under permit.

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Filename: dead-blue-whale-container-ship-indian-ocean-sri-lanka-201204-0738.tif
Copyright: Copyright Tony Wu. All rights reserved. No duplication without prior written permission
Image Size: 4871x3247 / 45.3MB; 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 is a dead blue whale, probably killed by a ship strike from a large commercial ship, much like the one visible in the background. Major shipping lanes pass directly through the feeding grounds of blue whales and other cetaceans in southern Sri Lanka, increasing the chances for fatal ship strikes like this. This whale was male, with the cause of death being a wound to the animal's caudal area. Photo taken under permit.