Marine mammal news, features and articles

Scientists have discovered that once a mammal has become fully aquatic, it passes a threshold that makes a return to terrestrial landscapes almost impossible.

Experts abandoned the autopsy of a dead fin whale after they heard bubbling noises from the creature's gut, indicating there was a chance it could explode if opened.

The huge chunk of ambergris was found lodged inside the sperm whale — and scientists believe it ruptured its intestine, causing its death and subsequent beaching in La Palma.

From Pliny the Elder to the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus, historians and naturalists have found many ways to describe these fascinating apex predators.

White Gladis was so hellbent on stopping boats in the Strait of Gibraltar that she engaged in attacks instead of protecting her newborn calf.

The behavior may be "leapfrogging" between orca populations, and it could be in response to human activities such as fishing.

The nine Type D orcas were found on a beach in Chile, with a necropsy of one female showing it was a healthy adult, with no signs of human involvement in its death.

As the crew motored inshore after the encounter, one of the orcas reappeared, chased the boat into the marina and tore off what little fiberglass was left on the two rudders.

A necropsy revealed that the animal may have been infected with avian influenza, which would be "a big deal" if it is confirmed by further testing, scientists say.

Previous reported interactions between orcas and sailboats followed a clear pattern, with the animals losing interest and swimming away once they had broken the rudder.