Whale killing: DNA shows Iceland whale was rare hybrid

[jpak]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-44809115

Campaigners had been concerned that the slaughtered animal was a protected blue whale, the largest species on the planet.

Now DNA has shown it to be the offspring of a blue and a fin whale, as the whaling company had claimed.

Researchers say these hybrids are rare and trading their meat is illegal.

Photographic evidence from anti-whaling groups had shown a large animal being butchered in Iceland early in July - based on these images, some experts concluded that it was a juvenile male blue, a species that hasn't been deliberately killed since 1978.

Now tests carried out at Iceland's Marine Research Institute have confirmed that it was the offspring of a female blue whale and a male fin whale.

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[bettyellen]

1. Didn't they speculate that "lonely" whale w 54 decibel voice might be a hybrid blue fin?