local
Pregnant whale found dead on bow of cruise ship, authorities say
By KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· June 24, 2026
· 2 min read
ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) – A pregnant fin whale was found dead on the bow of a cruise ship in Alaska last week. A necropsy performed over the weekend by NOAA Fisheries, the Alaska SeaLife Center and Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services found blunt force trauma to be the cause of death.T...
Key takeaway The cruise ship arrived at the dock in Seward last Friday with the dead 61-foot adult female fin whale on top of the ship’s bulbous bow.
Why this matters in The Midland
While the incident occurred in Alaska, the issue of ship strikes on whales has relevance to the Permian Basin area as a major oil-producing region. The region's economic growth is tied to the oil industry, which relies on shipping and transportation of goods. As the demand for oil and gas continues to drive economic activity in Midland , the potential for increased shipping traffic in nearby waters raises concerns about the impact on marine life. The fact that ship strikes are a leading cause of whale mortality in US waters is a reminder that the region's economic interests must be balanced with environmental considerations. As the Permian Basin continues to grow, it will be important to monitor the effects of increased shipping activity on local ecosystems and to support measures that reduce the risk of ship strikes on whales and other marine animals.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) – A pregnant fin whale was found dead on the bow of a cruise ship in Alaska last week. A necropsy performed over the weekend by NOAA Fisheries, the Alaska SeaLife Center and Alaska Veterinary Pathology Services found blunt force trauma to be the cause of death.T...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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