A blue whale, the largest mammal on the planet and a member of the endangered species list, washed up on a beach between Pakistan and Iran, Independent Pakistan reported.

What's happening?

The blue whale was found floating in the waters of Gwatar Bay by a fisherman, and the Daily Times posted a photo to Facebook.

Scientists could not pinpoint the cause of the whale's death. It could have been tangled in fishing gear, which has been a problem for other whales in the past. Blue whale populations have also struggled with accidents involving boats and vessel strikes.

Muhammad Moazzam Khan, one of World Wide Fund for Nature-Pakistan's technical advisors, described the situation as "sad news" in a statement.

Why is whale conservation important?

Whales play an important role in regulating the ocean's ecosystem. Their feces serve as nutrients for phytoplankton, which form the basis of the ocean's food chain. Protecting whales protects biodiversity.

Plastic consumption is also a large problem for many whale species. According to the Stanford Report, whales can eat 10 million pieces of microplastic per day.

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While research on microplastics is new and evolving, the scientific consensus is that we should avoid consuming them whenever possible. Microplastics can have negative health impacts ranging from organ damage to reproductive issues, Harvard Medicine researchers have reported.

Larger plastics are also a problem for ocean creatures. Thousands of marine animals are killed every year by ingesting or becoming tangled in plastics.

What's being done about blue whale populations?

Thanks to conservation efforts, blue whale populations are increasing around the globe, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries.

Whale enthusiasts spotted a blue whale off the coast of Massachusetts in 2024, sparking excitement about the rising population since whales had not been seen in that region for decades.