Scientists retrieved a weapon fragment from a bowhead whale that suggests it might have been born as early as the 1860s.
The fragment was part of a time delay bomb that was introduced in 1879 and manufactured until 1885. Experts think the wound was inflicted in about 1890 but 19th Century hunters would probably have not attacked a young whale, so it could have already been around for some time before that date.
The conical fragment was embedded in the shoulder blade and probably would have been uncomfortable for the whale. It was only discovered after the bowhead whale was killed by indigenous hunters off Alaska as part of their subsistence quota.
Scientists say it is rare to find a whale over 100 years old but believe some may reach 200. This whale sadly didnt reach its double century
4 comments:
That is interesting and sad at the same time. Are you blubbering about it, jams?
Aaargh Ewbl, just then it was so quiet you could hear a pun drop!
I read about this on the news. What a shame it had to die now after all this time. Interesting what they were saying about the early bomb too.
I suppose the indigenous peoples are the ones I may feel have a claim to continue whaling. Even so it is sad the Bowhead ended this way
Post a Comment