Humpback whale severed off fluke spotted near San Juan Island [Video]

SAN JUAN, WASHINGTON, Wash. — A humpback whale was spotted last week near San Juan Island with a severed off fluke in what officials believe was caused by long-term entanglement.

The San Juan County Marine Mammal Stranding Network said the humpback whale was seen July 23 south of Lopez Island. The whale was initially spotted July 10 around the Campbell River in British Columbia, Canada. 

The severed fluke is believed to have been caused by the animal being entangled, according to the stranding network. Humpback whales are known for their flukes. Each animal has a unique pattern on the underside of its fluke, similar to a Zebra’s stripes.

Jessica Farrer, research director for the Whale Museum in Friday Harbor, said humpback whales use flukes as their primary way to move through the water.

“Oddly or sadly, this is not that uncommon,” Farrer said. “It’s actually quite common for them to lose part of, if not …