* Ship collisions: Whales are often killed by collisions with large vessels, such as cargo ships and cruise ships. These collisions can cause severe injuries or death, and they are particularly common in areas with heavy ship traffic.
* Entanglement in fishing gear: Whales can become entangled in fishing nets, lines, and other fishing gear, which can restrict their movement, cause injuries, and lead to infection or starvation.
* Overfishing of prey species: Whales rely on a variety of fish and other marine organisms as their food source. Overfishing by humans can deplete these prey populations, making it more difficult for whales to find enough food to survive.
* Pollution: Whales are exposed to a variety of pollutants, such as oil, chemicals, and plastics, which can harm their health and lead to disease.
* Climate change: Changes in ocean temperature, sea levels, and weather patterns due to climate change can affect whale populations by disrupting their migration routes, altering their food sources, and making them more susceptible to disease.
* Hunting: While commercial whaling has been banned by the International Whaling Commission since 1986, some whale species are still hunted in certain parts of the world. Illegal whaling and the hunting of whales for subsistence or cultural purposes also contribute to whale deaths.
These factors are leading to population declines and endangerment of many whale species. Conservation efforts are focused on addressing these threats, including reducing ship collisions, minimizing fishing gear entanglement, limiting overfishing, reducing pollution, and mitigating the effects of climate change.