“It should be noted that all the individuals found during the aerial survey are in an advanced state of decomposition, suggesting a date of death in a similar period of time and that many are in areas of difficult access. The scientific team of the program will examine the new individuals surveyed during the next few days to continue monitoring this unusual event of whale mortality in Valdes Peninsula,” Dr. Mariano Sironi, scientific director of the Whale Conservation Institute (ICB) and PMSBFA co-director, said.
"No specimen presented evidence of abnormal injuries or recent traumatic injuries that could explain its death,” PMSBFA Field Coordinator Agustina Donini stated.
"The whale is a great filter feeder, it eats that way, and, when looking for copepods, it also introduces microalgae with loads of toxins into the body," biologist Mariano Coscarella from the National Patagonian Center based in Puerto Madryn told press.