A dead killer whale that washed up on the shore of a Scottish island
last January was the most polluted animal ever seen on Earth, according
to a newly released report. The whale had the highest levels of
polychlorinated biphenals, or PBCs, ever recorded in an animal,
according to the
Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme.
An analysis of the orca, who scientists named Lulu, revealed that
her blubber had concentrations of PBC 100 time higher than the threshold
for marine mammals. And despite being at least 20 years old, the whales
ovaries showed she had never reproduced, likely the result of such a
toxic concentration of pollutants in her body.
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