Hundreds of dead whale calves in southern Argentina: bacterial infection suspected

Hundreds of whale calves have died in southern Argentina in recent weeks. Marine biologist Mariano Coscarella from the Argentine research institute Conicet told the AFP news agency on Thursday that this was due to a bacterial infection. According to Coscarella, "it appears to be a natural cause." However, he “did not completely” rule out the influence of human activities.

According to the researcher, veterinarians found that the deaths of the whale calves were probably due to erysipelas. This is a serious bacterial skin infection that can cause pain and fever. The mortality rate among whale calves is “particularly high this season,” said Coscarella.

The marine biologist conducts research in Puerto Madryn, an important whale watching center on the Atlantic coast. This week, dozens of southern right whale juveniles were again washed up dead on the beaches of Chubut province in southern Argentina.

Important region for southern right whales

Researchers were already alarmed by the first cases in June. They feared that the whale deaths could continue. The Chubut regional government said on Wednesday it was working closely with scientists to solve the mystery of the ongoing whale die-off.

Puerto Madryn and the nearby Valdés Peninsula are an important breeding area for southern right whales. The marine mammals reach a length of up to 17 meters and weigh an average of 40 tons, about as much as four elephants.

Last year, 2,110 whales were counted in the area - more than ever before. There were 800 calves among them. This year, according to Coscarella, the authorities only counted 1,375 whales, including almost 400 calves. However, the researcher does not see the region's whale population at risk from the recent deaths: Given the southern right whale's average life expectancy of a good 60 years, the deaths are "not a medium-term danger".