Fishermen in Mexico have found rare conjoined grey whale calves that died shortly after being born.
Scientists say it would have been virtually impossible for the two gray whales, which weigh half a tonne and measure four metres (13 feet) in length, to survive.
Benito Bermudez, a marine biologist, says the whales were found alive in the Ojo de Liebre lagoon in the Baja California peninsula but lived only a few hours.
Bermudez said they were linked at the waist, with two full heads and tail fins.
He said scientists were collecting samples of skin, muscle and baleen – the mammals' filter-feeder system – for research purposes.
Every year more than 20,000 grey whales swim to Mexico from Alaska to mate and give birth.
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