Dead Humpback Washes Ashore In California

Marine biologists are trying to determine the cause of death of a humpback whale calf that washed up Sunday on a beach in San Mateo County. The 27-foot female baleen humpback whale calf, estimated to be 9 months old, had likely been drifting about a week in the waters between San Francisco and Half Moon Bay, officials said. There were no propeller marks to indicate that it had been hit by a boat, nor teeth marks from an orca whale or shark attack. Toxic algae may be to blame, officials said, although tests will take several months to complete. Ship strikes are suspected in the recent deaths of three blue whales in Southern California. Local boaters, fishermen and cruise operators say an abundance of krill - a tiny, shrimplike creature that is a major food source of several marine animals and birds - has drawn dozens more blue whales this year into the Santa Barbara Channel...