California's Marine Mammal Centre says a necropsy performed Tuesday on a 41-foot Grey Whale revealed its skull and upper vertebrae had fractures consistent with a ship strike.
The whale also seemed in poor shape, its insulating layer of blubber was thinner than usual.
It's the ninth whale found dead in the San Francisco Bay Area since March.
The centre says three previous whales died from ship strikes and four from malnutrition.
They added that some greys are in poor condition during this year's annual migration from Mexico to Alaska. They suspect some are having trouble finding food as warming ocean conditions cause changes in their food supplies.
More No Comment
Airline workers protest against possible Alitalia layoffs
Hundreds of Sikh pilgrims converge in northwest Pakistan
Third night clashes at Brooklyn Center
Minnesota police shooting: riots erupt in Portland and enter second night in Brooklyn Center
London Zoo reopens to public after latest lockdown closure
Saudi's Ta'if residents keep folklore war dance alive
Mexican village forms 'self-defence' group amid armed gang threat
Fire ravages historic factory in St Petersburg
Restaurant owners scuffle with police in Rome lockdown protest
Volcanic eruption and gas from Iceland volcano
Massive fire in historic Saint Petersburg factory
Protesters angry over US police shooting of Black man forcefully dispersed
Pilgrims bathe in the Ganges despite India Covid surge
Opera singer offers home concerts in order to fill the performing void
Russians launch miniature rockets to celebrate Yuri Gagarin