TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The plight of endangered right whales has taken another sad turn.
A baby whale washed ashore dead on a Florida beach Saturday with telltale signs of being struck by a boat.
There are fewer than 400 north Atlantic right whales remaining, and experts say any mortality of the species is a serious setback to rescuing the animals from extinction.
Federal biologists expressed dismay over the discovery of the 22-foot male infant at Anastasia State Park near St. Augustine. The circumstances surrounding the whale’s death are under investigation.
But officials said it was clear that a vessel was involved because of propeller wounds to the head and back.
