Mexican fishermen find conjoined gray whale calves

By: 11 years ago

Fishermen found the calves that were linked at the waist with two full heads and tail fins. AP

gray-whale2 — Fishermen found the calves that were linked at the waist with two full heads and tail fins. AP

MEXICO CITY — The Mexican government says fishermen found two rare conjoined gray whale calves that died shortly after being born.

Biologist Benito Bermudez says the whales were found alive in the Ojo de Liebre lagoon in the Baja California Peninsula but lived only a few hours.

In this photo released on Wednesday Jan. 8, 2014 by Mexico’s National Natural Protected Areas Commission, or CONANP, two conjoined gray whale calves lie dead in a beach in the Ojo de Liebre lagoon, near the town of Guerrero Negro in the Baja Peninsula, Mexico on Jan. 5, 2014. AP

Bermudez said Wednesday they were linked at the waist, with two full heads and tail fins.

Bermudez is a marine biologist with the National Natural Protected Areas Commission, or CONANP. He said scientists are collecting skin, muscle and baleen samples to study the creatures.

Every year more than 20,000 gray whales swim to Mexico from Alaska to mate and give birth.