Wally the whale lost in the Mediterranean

Wally the whale is lost in the Mediterranean

and it's desperately seeking its way home

Location: Argeles-sur-Mer, France

Grey whales normally migrate along the California coasts

but biologists think global warming has opened up northern routes

and Wally swam into the Atlantic ocean via the Arctic

(SOUNDBITE) (French) HEAD OF THE STATE BIODIVERSITY AGENCY IN SOUTHERN FRANCE, ERIC HANSEN, SAYING:"This current has been completely disrupted with the melting of the ice and we will see changes in the habits of animal species, and therefore, we will see animal species arriving that have nothing to do with our region."

As Wally continues to find its way home in the Pacific ocean

it is set to encounter many obstacles

including heavy shipping traffic and fishing nets

(SOUNDBITE) (French) GOLFE DU LION NATURAL PARK CHIEF OF UNIT, ROMAIN HUBERT, SAYING:"Hopefully, it leaves the Mediterranean by the Gibraltar Straits within a few days, and we will see if other organizations like ours, or other scientists, observe it in other areas, if it continues on with its journey, and find out if it returns to more familiar waters."