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Tag: marine mammals

  • Rare sighting of a blue whale — largest animal on earth

    Rare sighting of a blue whale — largest animal on earth

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    GLOUCESTER — There was cheering and shouting far off shore on July 4 when a local whale watch boat enjoyed a rare sighting of the largest animal on the planet — a blue whale.

    Excitement ran through the boat, the Hurricane II, when Tina McMahon-Foley, senior naturalist with Cape Ann Whale Watch, announced that the visitors were about to see a blue whale.

    “We had seen a report the day before that a New Hampshire boat had seen,” she said. “We went out that afternoon for a traditional whale watch, and headed to an area to look for whales.

    “We were with two humpback whales and the captain called me in and said, ‘Do you want to go see (the blue whale)?’ and I thought he was teasing me. I didn’t believe him at first. But I glanced over and saw the whale’s exhale, which is taller than a two-deck whale watch boat.”

    Blue whales are the largest animals ever to live on the planet, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

    McMahon-Foley, the voice over the whale watch microphone, was trying to contain her excitement as she waited for the blue whale to come up again so she could make the announcement, and when she did, the boat erupted in cries of delight.

    The first time McMahon-Foley saw a blue whale, it was more than 20 years ago and it was a fleeting sight.

    “I literally saw it go down on a dive and that was it,” she said. “But this time around I got to see this whale head to toe, multiple times, and I really feel like I saw a blue whale.”

    Using the length of the whale watch boat as a point of reference at 109 feet, they estimate the whale they saw alongside the boat was at least 100 feet long.

    “When we first came upon it, I didn’t know how long we were going to see it for but we spent 30 minutes with the whale,” McMahon-Foley said. “This blue whale did four-minute dives — which means we saw it every four minutes — which is unheard of because whales can go down for a very long time so every passenger on the boat had multiple viewings of this massive animal.”

    She noted how the various whale watch companies share the time with whales, moving in and out so each boat has a chance to see the whales.

    “As we were leaving, we were cheering to the passengers on the other boats. It was amazing to me that one individual — meaning the blue whale — can create such camaraderie among so many people. All of a sudden people on other boats are waving and cheering to each other,” McMahon-Foley said.

    “We’ve had some reflective moments since the sighting because we all understand how special that viewing was and how precious that moment was for all of us. It was extraordinary — the most incredible day with humpbacks, finbacks and a blue whale.”

    It has been an interesting spring and fruitful spring for whale watching, in part, because of the abundance of krill, on which they feed.

    “That’s an indication that the feeding ground is doing well and that there is bait to support these huge animals,” she said.

    On a humorous note, the naturalist shared that once the Hurricane II left the viewing of the blue whale, it came across a fin whale, also known as a finback whale, the second longest whale after the blue whale.

    “The finback whale popped up and that’s a 70 foot whale,” she said. “Usually it’s the largest animal I ever see, but when I glanced over, it didn’t seem quite as big by comparison that day.”

    Gail McCarthy may be contacted at 978-675-2706, or gmccarthy@northofboston.com.

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    Gail McCarthy | Staff Writer

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  • US authorities found young dolphin’s skull inside unattended bag at a Detroit airport | CNN

    US authorities found young dolphin’s skull inside unattended bag at a Detroit airport | CNN

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    CNN
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    Federal authorities made a grim and unexpected discovery in an unattended bag last week at a Detroit airport.

    Inside, the bag held a young dolphin’s skull, the US Customs and Border Protection said in a news release Friday.

    The bag was separated from its owners while traveling and when it arrived in the US, a routine screening at the Detroit Metropolitan Airport revealed what appeared to be a skull-shaped object, CBP said in the release.

    “Upon further examination by CBP and US Fish and Wildlife Service officials, it was determined the skull was from a young dolphin,” the release said.

    The skull was turned over to US Fish and Wildlife Service inspectors for further investigation.

    “The possession of wildlife items, especially those of protected animals is prohibited,” Robert Larkin, the area port director, said in a statement. “We take wildlife smuggling seriously and work closely with our federal partners at the US Fish and Wildlife Service to protect wildlife and their habitats.”

    There are restrictions and requirements around importing and exporting certain fish, wildlife and products that come from them – and it’s not the first time US authorities make a similar seizure.

    In December, CBP officers seized zebra and giraffe bones from a woman at Washington’s Dulles International Airport. The woman, who was traveling from Kenya, had kept the bones as souvenirs, authorities said at the time.

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  • ‘The Whale’ teaser trailer previews Brendan Fraser’s buzz-worthy performance | CNN

    ‘The Whale’ teaser trailer previews Brendan Fraser’s buzz-worthy performance | CNN

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    CNN
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    Brendan Fraser’s buzzy portrayal of a reclusive, obese teacher comes to life in the first trailer for “The Whale,” which premiered on Tuesday.

    The new A24 drama, based on the Drama Desk Award-winning stageplay from Samuel D. Hunter, stars Fraser as Charlie, who is trying to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter Ellie (Sadie Sink of “Stranger Things” fame).

    The slow and brooding teaser clip starts with shots of a lived-in apartment, before Fraser’s character is seen looking out the kitchen window at a bird who alighted there.

    “Do you ever get the feeling that people are incapable of not caring?” he asks in voice over, as shots of costar Hong Chau (“Downsizing”) and Sink are seen.

    “People are amazing,” Charlie then says, while wearing an oxygen tube under his nose.

    Fraser, whose film credits have thinned in recent years after he enjoyed action star-status in the early aughts thanks to the “Mummy” franchise, received a prolonged standing ovation for his turn in “The Whale” at the Venice Film Festival in September.

    Video shared on social media of the six-minute ovation showed the actor looking teary-eyed as the audience applauded.

    As reported by Variety, Fraser donned a prosthetic suit to play Charlie. He told reporters at the Venice festival that the performance, already touted as Oscar-worthy, required him to “learn how to move in a new way.”

    “I developed muscles I did not know I had,” Fraser said at the time.

    “The Whale,” directed by Darren Aronofsky, hits theaters on December 9.

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  • ‘The Masked Singer’ reveals Walrus and Milkshake | CNN

    ‘The Masked Singer’ reveals Walrus and Milkshake | CNN

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    CNN
     — 

    “The Masked Singer” unveiled Walrus and Milkshake on the latest episode of the singing competition.

    Sunday’s episode was also the show’s 100th episode.

    Robin Thicke, Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy and Nicole Scherzinger all dressed for the theme, which was the ’90s.

    Walrus performed “Two Princes” by Spin Doctors and his clues included the words “full house” and that he once tap-danced for a ’90s talk show host.

    The panel guessed John Stamos, Joey Lawrence and Mario Lopez. Thicke was correct with Lawrence.

    Milkshake told the crowd he’d been “making hits since he was young” and performed “Jump On It” by Sir Mix-a-Lot.

    The panel guessed LL Cool J, DJ Jazzy Jeff, or T.I.

    Milkshake was eliminated and revealed as football player Le’Veon Bell.

    The Lambs sang “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette, with the panel guessing The Corrs, SWV or The Chicks.

    The remaining unmasked contestants are Harp, and the Lambs, who fans have hinted may be Wilson Phillips.

    The third and final three-week round airs Nov. 9.

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  • NFL players’ union terminates neurotrauma consultant involved in evaluation of Dolphins’ player concussion, reports say | CNN

    NFL players’ union terminates neurotrauma consultant involved in evaluation of Dolphins’ player concussion, reports say | CNN

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    CNN
     — 

    The National Football League Players Association has terminated the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant who was involved in the evaluation of Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for a concussion during their game against the Buffalo Bills last Sunday, according to multiple reports, including from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, citing unnamed sources.

    The unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant was terminated after it was found they made “several mistakes” in their evaluation, according to ESPN, citing an unnamed source.

    CNN has reached out to the NFLPA but did not immediately receive a response.

    The National Football League and the NFLPA released a joint statement on Saturday, saying that while the investigation into the handling of Tagovalioa’s concussion protocols remain ongoing, both sides have agreed that updates to the protocols are required.

    The NFL and NFLPA said they “anticipate changes to the protocol being made in the coming days based on what has been learned thus far in the review process.”

    On Sunday, the NFLPA told the league it would initiate a review into the handling of Tagovailoa’s apparent head injury. The NFL later confirmed to CNN that a joint investigation would take place.

    In the Dolphins’ 21-19 win over the Buffalo Bills, Tagovailoa was knocked out of the game briefly in the second quarter after a hit by Bills linebacker Matt Milano forced the back of his helmet to hit the turf. The 24-year-old third-year quarterback got up stumbling and was taken to the locker room for a concussion check. Milano was flagged for a roughing the passer penalty.

    The Dolphins initially announced Tagovailoa was questionable to return to the game with a head injury but came back out onto the field in the third quarter and finished the game throwing for 186 yards and a touchdown.

    Tagovailoa told reporters after the game that he fell onto his back before his head hit the turf causing his back to lock up and the stumbling. He added that he was evaluated for a concussion but was ultimately cleared.

    “The adrenaline kept me going,” Tagovailoa added.

    Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel alluded to a back injury after the game, saying that Tagovailoa back got “bent” on an earlier play but the hit “loosened his back” causing his legs to get wobbly. McDaniel added that Tagovailoa told him that his back was like “Gumby.”

    The NFL and Dolphins are under scrutiny for the decision to allow Tagovailoa to play another game on Thursday.

    Tagovailoa was sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Josh Tupou in the second quarter of that game and lay motionless on the field for several minutes. The entire Dolphins sideline walked onto the field as he was placed on a backboard and stretcher before being taken to the hospital. Bengals fans in attendance at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati showed their respect as Tagovailoa was carted off the field.

    In a statement Thursday night, the NFLPA said player health and safety were at the “core” of their mission.

    “Our concern tonight is for Tua and we hope for a full and speedy recovery,” it said. “Our investigation into the potential protocol violation is ongoing.”

    McDaniel told reporters on Friday that Tagovailoa was in concussion protocol after Thursday’s but gave no timetable for his return to the field.

    Video showed Tagovailoa’s forearms were flexed and his fingers contorted – a sign that CNN’s Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, a neurosurgeon, said is a “fencing response” and can be linked to a brain injury.

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