Young gray whale found dead in Bremerton, likely of starvation
BREMERTON, Wash. -- The gray whale seen swimming along the Tacoma waterfront last week has died, likely of starvation, according to a marine mammal specialist.
The whale was found dead next to an aircraft carrier at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton on Sunday morning. It is believed to be the same one spotted in Thea Foss Waterway just days ago.
Biologists believe the whale made its way up through Sinclair Inlet from Tacoma and ended up near the carrier. The whale was found dead near the naval pier, but was towed out to the middle of Sinclair Inlet.
The state marine mammal specialist with the Department of Fish and Wildlife reportedly said the young whale looked emaciated and appears to have died from starvation. The whale also had old scars, likely from an attack by an orca.
Now biologists are working to figure out why the whale starved.
Randy Jones, a charter boat skipper, said he has not seen a lot of krill, which the grays eat.
"That's sad. That's really too bad," he said. "I like to see the whales when they come in here. It's good for business, my charter boat business."
After a full examination is conducted, the whale will be towed out to deeper depths and sunk.
These waters have seen a young whale die before. A juvenile gray whale beached itself in nearby Dyes Inlet, and died one and a half years ago.
The whale was found dead next to an aircraft carrier at Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton on Sunday morning. It is believed to be the same one spotted in Thea Foss Waterway just days ago.
Biologists believe the whale made its way up through Sinclair Inlet from Tacoma and ended up near the carrier. The whale was found dead near the naval pier, but was towed out to the middle of Sinclair Inlet.
The state marine mammal specialist with the Department of Fish and Wildlife reportedly said the young whale looked emaciated and appears to have died from starvation. The whale also had old scars, likely from an attack by an orca.
Now biologists are working to figure out why the whale starved.
Randy Jones, a charter boat skipper, said he has not seen a lot of krill, which the grays eat.
"That's sad. That's really too bad," he said. "I like to see the whales when they come in here. It's good for business, my charter boat business."
After a full examination is conducted, the whale will be towed out to deeper depths and sunk.
These waters have seen a young whale die before. A juvenile gray whale beached itself in nearby Dyes Inlet, and died one and a half years ago.
cool story komo ....NOT!!!!!!
hmm, wonder if the orca attack had anything to do with it?
Sorry to say but... that is probably just the beginning.... don't get me wrong, not all that up on God thing you people seem to worship, our planet is starting to die... can't you people see it? realize it and help if you can
"Now biologists are working to figure out why the whale starved" Because there wasn't enough food. Just sayn....
@cm257n7 I know. Hard to believe they have to pay people to come to these conclusions.
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Gray whales don't typically live in our waters here. Why? Because there is no food for them. Orcas eat salmon and seals, and even they are rare these days.
@TheBronze Food is abundant in the sound for the certain times of the year. It is why we get a small population coming in every Spring- go to Langley at low tide you can see where they feed easily. Often times can watch them right from the beach. THIS TIME OF YEAR there just isn't alof ot food for them BUT if he has only been in the sound for a week or so- it certainly wasn't long enough for him to starve to death. He was probably sick to start with.Â
To quote Yes; "Don't Kill The Whale!" ;)
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@deadcandance Give me a break.
Poor whale died! Now let's all buy a big steak, don't worry about that an animal got killed to get you that steak!
 @WhatdidIsay? cows are dumb...whales are smart
Circle of life. Some survive and some don't. Let nature take it's course.
@Robinsnest alone w/out it's pod, lonely, lost and starving - i understand but i can still be sad.
That is no good. I really like seeing the whales in Neah bay. They get really close to the boat and its just you at the mercy of these wonderful giants.Â
Usually one thing depends upon another. If a lack of Krill, per skipper Randy Jones is correct (and likely so), what happened to the Krill? I don't think the Greys are as endangered as some, but I do hate to see any of them harmed or die other than old age.  Â
@oldster70
Amphipods are a gray whale's favorite food. These tiny shrimp-like animals live in sediment on the ocean floor in the Arctic feeding grounds. They also like small creatures called cumaceans and isopods. They eat little mysids, which hide under rocks. Gray whales also gobble plankton, small and microscopic animals floating in the sea. When eating plankton, gray whales can be seen skim-feeding with their upper jaws above the surface of the ocean. Grays find very little t eat while on their migration route. Still, they may get to snack on schooling squid, krill, crab larvae, herring eggs, ghost shrimp, and small bait fish such as capelin.  http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/gwhale/jr/photo/food.html
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Gray whales are bottom feeders.Â
Always sad to see that. :-(
So sad, RIP little whale.....
i know i know it's just nature - since they travel together it was lonely and starving - so very sad.
All of the dead zones in the Puget Sound from chemicals running downstream might have contributed to this little guys death. Sad
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 @rightandexact Dead zones? Names please.
 @oldster70  @rightandexact Here's a link to NOAA I hope Scott B has cleared it up for you. http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/docs/shellfish/nw_shellfish_initiative_noaa_fact_sheet.pdf
 @oldster70  The Google Earth mapping program displays some Dead Zones with the Ocean Layer turned on. Here is a list of some Dead Zones listed in the Puget Sound area: West Point, Elliott Bay, Commencement Bay, Budd Inlet, South Puget Sound, Sinclair Inlet, Port Orchard, Port Gamble, Port Gardner, Possession Sound, Port Susan, Saratoga Passage, Penn Cove, Skagit Bay, Padilla Bay, Samish Bay, Bellingham Bay. Did I miss any?  It's a little disheartening to see for yourself, but if you have the time Download the program and check it out.
Poor guy. I'll bet he missed his family. RIP, little whale.
@skepticaloptimist I'll bet he was lost and hungry. And then he was no more. Seriously people, get a grip. It is one whale. They die all the time in the wild of natural causes and no one sheds a tear.