Marine mammal news, features and articles
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Orcas are harassing and playing with baby porpoises in deadly game that has lasted 60 yearsScientists may have finally figured out why a population of orcas in the Salish Sea have been tossing porpoises around and taking them into their mouths without eating them.
By Sascha Pare Published
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Scientists investigate mysterious case of orca that swallowed 7 sea otters wholeThe female orca was found far from her normal hunting ground with six whole sea otters in its stomach and one lodged between its oral cavity and the esophagus.
By Elise Poore Published
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Opportunistic orcas have developed a new feeding behavior that appears to be killing themMore orcas have died entangled in fishing gear in Alaska this year than in previous years, which may be linked to a "new behavior" where they feed in front of ascending fishing nets.
By Sascha Pare Published
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Could an impending rise in solar storms cause more whales to strand?Past research suggests that some whale species are more likely to get lost and accidentally beach themselves during periods of increased solar activity, such as the upcoming solar maximum.
By Harry Baker Published
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Lolita, the 2nd-oldest orca in captivity, who was set to be released to the wild, has diedLolita, also known as Tokitae, died before she could be returned to her native waters in the Pacific Northwest.
By Harry Baker Last updated
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Mystery mass death of seals on remote, uninhabited Siberian island under investigationCarcasses of seals, sea lions and birds were found on Tyuleniy Island in the Sea of Okhotsk by environmental groups who were there to clear up plastic pollution.
By Jacklin Kwan Published
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Tiny 'King Tut' whale 'lived fast and died fast' in ancient Egyptian watersPaleontologists in Egypt have described a new species of extinct whale that was dwarfed by other basilosaurids.
By Jennifer Nalewicki Published
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Baby Moby Dick? Rare white humpback whale calf filmed off AustraliaThe latest footage follows two other sightings of all-white, newborn humpback calves — but experts aren't convinced these whales are albino like the famous Migaloo.
By Emma Bryce Published
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What is the deepest-diving mammal?One marine mammal has been documented diving as deep as 9,816 feet — equivalent to the depth of over 30 Statues of Liberty stacked on top of one another.
By Ethan Freedman Published
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