On September 17, a tragedy unfolded near French Polynesia’s Tahiti: a 2-3-year-old female humpback whale (nicknamed “Coco”) was severely injured after being struck by a high-speed ferry, ultimately drowning with her upper jaw nearly completely severed. The ferry involved was traveling at 55 km/h in a 9 km/h speed-restricted zone—six times the limit. Witness videos captured Coco struggling violently in the water, with blood staining large patches of the sea surface. Local conservation groups have formally filed complaints demanding an investigation into the accident’s responsibility.
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