讀後心得

Recently, a young minke whale has appeared at the Port of Long Beach in Los Angeles. Although it is in good health, it refuses to leave, raising concerns among marine biologists and animal welfare groups. This sub-adult, measuring about 5.4 to 6 meters long, has been hanging around the harbor for 5 days, wandering in the shallow waters. Experts have tried to guide it back to the ocean, but it is reluctant to swim past the shadow under the bridge. Marine biologists state that it is unclear why it has come here; it may be following fish or simply being curious.

In the past few days, a small humpback whale has been lingering at the Port of Long Beach in Los Angeles. Although it currently appears to be in good health, its reluctance to leave is causing concern among marine biologists and animal protection groups.

• Many people have stopped to watch the small humpback whale at the port, as the sight of it swimming just a few meters away is indeed rare.
• Children have expressed, "I love this whale, it's so cool."

The humpback whale is the smallest species in the baleen whale family, with adult humpbacks typically measuring between 6.5 to 8.8 meters in length, primarily found in the North Atlantic and North Pacific.

A marine biologist stated, "This one is a sub-adult, likely around 18 to 20 feet (about 5.4 to 6 meters) long. It has been in the Port of Los Angeles for 5 days, and for the last 3 days, it has stayed in a very shallow dock where the water depth is only 15 to 20 feet (about 4.5 to 6 meters)."

After examination by animal protection organizations and marine biology experts, it was confirmed that the whale has no visible injuries and is in overall good health, yet it still refuses to leave the port.

The marine biologist added, "Earlier today, with the help of officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, lifeguards, and several other groups, the humpback whale successfully swam out of the port 3 times, but it ended up swimming under a bridge behind it, where the shadow of the bridge is cast on the water's surface, causing it to seem reluctant to cross that shadow."

Experts are concerned that if the humpback whale lingers at the port for too long, it may harm its health. However, they cannot force it to leave and can only continue to use guiding methods to attempt to return it to the open sea.

The marine biologist emphasized, "We are unsure why this whale came here; it could have followed a school of fish, accidentally entered the port, or it might be curious to explore this new place. Thus, it may stay here for a while. With various man-made products floating in the water, it makes it essential for us to get it out of the port."

Further reports mention that concerned community groups are planning related activities to provide support and assistance services.