30 mysterious whales in Alaska Bay

The unexplained death of 30 large whales in the western Gulf of Alaska forced the US government to conduct an investigation.

The US investigated the mysterious death of 30 whales

Since May, there have been 11 fin whales, 14 humpback whales, a gray whale, 4 unclassified mammals that have run aground on islands west of Alaska Bay and on the Alaska Peninsula, America.

Picture 1 of 30 mysterious whales in Alaska Bay
One of 11 fin whales stuck on Kodiak island, Alaska.(Photo: Bree Witteveen / Alaska Fairbanks University.)

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the number of whale-stranded whales in the area has soared almost three times as much as the historical average and has been classified into the "current Unusual death statue " , abbreviated as UME.

UME is a fatal case of special significance for an animal population, which occurs unexpectedly and requires urgent action.NOAA 's current top priority is to determine the cause of the deaths of 30 whales along the Alaskan coast from May.

" The fisheries experts at NOAA are very interested in the phenomenon of large-volume whale in the western Gulf of Alaska in recent months. We are not clear what causes this phenomenon, but the studies will provides important information about the health of whales and the ecosystems where they live, "said Prof. Teri Rowles, NOAA's fisheries room coordinator.

Scientists took samples from one of the 30 whales who died and have yet to find the cause of their deaths.

After the US government added UME to the 1991 Marine Mammal Protection Act , 61 cases were published and 29 cases were processed. Understanding and investigating UME is important because it is an indication of ocean health, providing awareness for larger environmental trends that affect people.