Dynamic and changing Arctic Ocean conditions likely caused three major mortality events in the eastern North Pacific gray whale population since the 1980s, a new study has found. During each of these die-offs, including one that began in 2019 and is ongoing, the gray whale population was reduced by up to 25% over just a […]
Tag: gray whales
Hopeful signs for declining population of gray whales along West Coast
The gray whale population along the West Coast showed another year of declines, according to the latest estimates, but scientists say there are some positive signs for the formerly endangered whales. The population of the eastern north Pacific Gray whale has been sliding downward since reaching a peak in 2016 with an estimated 26,960 whales. […]
Gray Whale in Mexico Pauses for Beauty Treatment, Gets Hitchhikers Removed by Boat Captain Off Baja Peninsula
Gray whales have seemingly discovered that by approaching whale-watching boats near the Baja peninsula friendly boat captains will pluck off irritants for them in a sort of spa treatment. Well, at least one boat captain will oblige, anyway. Recent video footage depicting the behavior was taken in the Ojo de Liebre lagoon, off the coast […]
Gray Whale Giving Birth Captured on Video by Nearby Whale-Watching Group
Tourists along California’s coast got the thrill of a lifetime when the boat they were sailing on as part of a whale-watching excursion just happened to be in the area when a gray whale gave birth to her calf right there in front of them! The lucky folks were cruising along with Captain Dave’s Dana […]
Speeding Ships Are Killing Hundreds Of Whales Along U.S. Coasts
A large number of blue whales, humpback whales, gray whales and vulnerable southern resident killer whales are being killed by speeding ships along the West Coast of the United States. According to the Los Angeles Times, Cargo and cruise boat traffic has increased over the last several decades to the point where ships have become […]
Gray whale’s disappearance from Atlantic Ocean holds clues to possible return
The gray whale is the focus of research projects anticipating its eventual return to European waters after an absence of a half-millennium. Youri van den Hurk is preparing for a possible big welcome-home event—the return of the gray whale to European waters after an absence of about 500 years. The gray whale disappeared from the […]
Judge recommends tribe be allowed to hunt gray whales off Washington state
An administrative law judge has recommended that a Native American tribe in Washington state be allowed to hunt gray whales – a major step in its decades-long effort to resume the ancient practice. “This is a testament to what we’ve been saying all these years: that we’re doing everything we can to show we’re moving […]