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WDC2023-007 NMLC Release (16)

Seal Rescued in Marshfield Released Back Into The Wild

For Immediate Release, May 31, 2023 PLYMOUTH, MA - A young male grey seal that...

Norway ups whale kill numbers and removes whale welfare protections

The whaling season in Norway has begun on the back of disturbing announcements from the...
Image taken from an unmanned hexacopter at >100ft during a research collaboration between NOAA/SWFSC, SR3 and the Coastal Ocean Research Institute. Research authorized by NMFS permit #19091.

Southern Resident orca petition to list them under Oregon Endangered Species Act advanced

The Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission voted today to advance a petition seeking to protect...
Hysazu Photography

WDC and Conservation Partners Continue to Seek Oregon Endangered Species Protection for Southern Resident Orcas

On Friday, April 21st, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission will determine whether the petition...

Fossil of modern whales' ancient relative discovered in Peru

Scientists have gained a new insight into the evolution of baleen whales after the discovery of fossil remains from 36 million years ago at Playa Media Luna in Peru.

It was already known that baleen whales, such as blue and humpback whales, shared a common ancestor with toothed whales, which used teeth to grab its prey. The latest discovery appears to be the earliest relative of baleen whales after the branches split in two. The whale, named Mystacodon selensis, was around four metres in length and still had teeth. However, analysis of its skill, jaw and teeth indicates it fed by straining its prey before expelling the water, similar to how baleen whales feed.

One unexpected discovery from this latest fossil find is that it appears to have still had small limbs sticking out from its body. It had previously been thought that both branches of the family tree had lost their limbs during evolution before splitting.

Full report:
Earliest Mysticete from the Late Eocene of Peru Sheds New Light on the Origin of Baleen Whales
Manuel Martínez-Cáceres, Giovanni Bianucci, Claudio Di Celma, Rodolfo Salas-Gismondi, Etienne Steurbaut, Mario Urbina, Christian de Muizon
Current Biology