Seagulls Are Eating Whales, Add That To The List Of Whales’ Problems

A seagull eating the blubber of a whale (Mariano Sironi)

Whales are being eaten alive by seagulls off the coast of Argentina. Scientists there have documented gulls landing on the backs of surfaced whales and eating into their blubber – something the researchers believe hasn’t been seen anywhere else in the world. The problem is so bad, researchers are considering shooting the birds.

Most of the attacked whales are mothers and their calves. The gull attacks are leaving large open sores on the whales’ skin, and they are being blamed for higher death rates and thinner calves.