Photo: "Stinky Whale" Mystery Stymies Scientists, Aboriginal Hunters

Email to a Friend << Back to Full Story


Russian aboriginal hunters are finding their major food source—the gray whale—inedible these days.

That's because some gray whales, including this specimen being cremated above, have developed a mysterious "stinky" smell and icky taste. The cause of the odor is still a mystery to scientists.

Photograph courtesy Gennady Zelensky

EMAIL NEWSLETTER Photos and News of the Week

Get the top photos and news of the week from National Geographic News, plus occasional breaking-news alerts.

See Sample >>
Please enter a valid email address
Privacy Policy

MOST VIEWED NEWS

PHOTOS: Giant, Unknown Animals Found off Antarctica

PHOTOS: "Glorious" Ancient Chamber Found in Israel

"Dinosaur Mummy" Has Skin Like Birds' and Crocodiles'
NEWS FEEDS    After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed. After installing a news reader, click on this icon to download National Geographic News's XML/RSS feed.

Get our news delivered directly to your desktop—free.
How to Use XML or RSS

ADVERTISEMENT

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC'S PHOTO OF THE DAY

Today's National Geographic Photo of the Day

• Today's Photo

• Download as Wallpaper

What's Your Green Idea?

You could win $20,000 to put it into action. Take part in the Green Effect, a new initiative from SunChips and National Geographic to inspire people to take small steps for big change.
Learn More