| At least a half-dozen dead porpoises have washed up along the Washington and Canadian coasts in recent weeks, according to the Center for Whale Research in Friday Harbor. The announcement yesterday came one week after whale watchers noticed a shrill pinging sound and saw porpoises and a pod of endangered killer whales fleeing from the waters southwest of San Juan Island. The U.S. Navy confirmed that a destroyer, the USS Shoup, used its sonar when it passed through the area. Ken Balcomb, the center's director, said the porpoises' carcasses would be examined to determine the cause of death. Balcomb said he suspects that sonar played a role. |