Latest news with #CaliforniaAcademyofSciences
NDTV
a day ago
- Science
- NDTV
Mysterious Death Of Gray Whales In San Francisco Bay Puzzles Scientists
The mysterious death of six gray whales around the San Francisco Bay over the past week has perplexed the officials. The whales washed up ashore between May 21 and 26, taking the total number of whale deaths this year to 14, according to the California Academy of Sciences. While postmortems have been performed on some of the whales, others have either been too far decomposed or stranded in inaccessible areas, making it difficult for scientists to pin the deaths on one particular cause. 'In 2025, 14 gray whales and one minke whale have died in the greater San Francisco Bay Area region, with the cause of three of the gray whale deaths determined to be suspect or probable vessel strikes,' the academy wrote in a press release Thursday. 'The Academy and partners at the Center have not responded to this many dead gray whales since the height of the Unusual Mortality Event in 2019 (14 individuals) and 2021 (15 individuals)," it added. An unusually high number of whale sightings has been reported this year in the San Francisco Bay. 33 individual gray whales have been confirmed via photo identification compared to only six gray whales spotted in he entirety of 2024. Studying and conservation While the reason for their death is yet to be ascertained, scientists believe that the gray whales will remain in the bay for another couple of weeks before resuming their annual northern migration to arctic feeding grounds. Scientists are now studying why the whales are entering the bay in such large numbers and if overcrowding was perhaps, one of the reasons for the spate of deaths. Though scientists are not yet sure why the whales are changing their habits, it could potentially be a result of adapting to changing ocean conditions. To reduce the risk of whales slamming into boats, the academy is working with the San Francisco Harbor Safety Committee to alter ferry lanes and increase communication via the US Coast Guard so that the boaters can be "whale aware'.
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Science
- Newsweek
Scientists Investigate as Whale Deaths Surge in San Francisco Bay
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A total of 15 whales, including 14 gray whales and one minke whale, have died so far in 2025, according to a joint press release from California Academy of Sciences and the Marine Mammal Center. "The reason or potential reasons behind the massive spike in sightings this year are still being investigated by researchers," the release said. The latest death, a gray whale found in the San Francisco Bay Area on Wednesday, marked the sixth whale death in as many days. Newsweek reached out via email to the California Academy of Sciences and the Marine Mammal Center on Saturday during non-working hours for more information. Why It Matters There has been "unusually high number of sightings" of whales in the region this year but there has also been an increase in deaths. The whale population has seen a 45 percent decrease since the 2019- 2023 Unusual Mortality Event (UME), according to the release. A record-low number of newborn whales was also seen this year, causing concern among researchers for the long-term outlook for the North Pacific gray whales, following the second UME in a 20-year period. "These whales basically left the Arctic with a half tank," Giancarlo Rulli, a spokesperson for the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, recently told about the other deceased whales discovered in the region. "The food sources that they were normally accustomed to eating that were highly nutritious for this massive, 10,000–12,000-mile journey, had moved farther away due to climate change, and as a result, these whales were left to forage on food matter that was much less nutritious." What To Know The whale on Wednesday was found near the Alamere Falls in Point Reyes National Seashore, the joint release said, which is about 30 miles northwest of San Francisco. While some of the deceased mammals have been necropsied, others have either been too far decomposed or stranded in areas that are inaccessible, making it difficult to pin these deaths on one similar cause. While it is not unusual to see whales in the region as they migrate, the number of deaths is the highest it has been, including in 2019 when 14 whales were found deceased in the UME, according to the release. The number of deaths currently matches the record of 15 for all of 2021, the release said. At least three of these deaths have been attributed to suspected vessel strikes, but others remain undetermined. The whales that have been spotted alive have been observed to be either regular size or emaciated. There are a total of 33 confirmed gray whale sightings in the San Francisco Bay this year, compared to only six seen last year, with about a third of those whales remaining in the bay for about 20 days. Whale carcasses have been found as far north as Alamere Falls, as far west as Farallon Islands and as inland as Berkeley. Beachgoers look at a dead juvenile Humpback Whale that washed up on Baker Beach on April 21, 2020, in San Francisco. Beachgoers look at a dead juvenile Humpback Whale that washed up on Baker Beach on April 21, 2020, in San Francisco. Photo byWhat People Are Saying The California Academy of Sciences and partners at The Marine Mammal Center said in the press release: "With San Francisco Bay serving as a shared space for commerce and increased gray whale activity, experts at the Academy and the Center note it's vital that all boaters—from large commercial vessels to sailboats—be 'whale aware' and continue to slow down. Gray whales often have a very low profile in the water that can make them difficult to sight, unlike other coastal whales like humpback whales." What Happens Next The results of the necropsy on the whale found on Wednesday are still pending, complicated by a number of factors due to "inaccessible locations that hinder full post-mortem investigations, as well as poor tissue quality from advanced decomposition, and the lack of available locations to tow for further investigation." Meanwhile, the whales that are alive are expected to be in "the bay for another one to two weeks before continuing their annual northern migration to arctic feeding grounds," according to the release. If people do see whales, they can report them through an app called Whale Alert or the Marine Mammal Center website. Sightings of dead whales should be reported to the Academy's department of Ornithology and Mammalogy.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Mystery as six gray whales found dead after unusually high influx into San Francisco Bay
Six gray whales have died in the San Francisco Bay Area region in the last week, officials have said. With the additional deaths, the total number of stranded whales this year has reached 15. Of those, 14 are gray whales, according to the California Academy of Sciences and partners at The Marine Mammal Center. 'In 2025, 14 gray whales and one minke whale have died in the greater San Francisco Bay Area region, with the cause of three of the gray whale deaths determined to be suspect or probable vessel strikes,' the academy wrote in a press release Thursday. 'The Academy and partners at the Center have not responded to this many dead gray whales since the height of the Unusual Mortality Event in 2019 (14 individuals) and 2021 (15 individuals).' However, the cause of the deaths of the other whales who died between May 21 and Wednesday are undetermined. Those animals died in multiple locations, including Berkeley, Point Reyes National Seashore, and Alcatraz. 'Necropsy response efforts and data collection have been challenging for a number of cases due to inaccessible locations that hinder full post-mortem investigations, as well as poor tissue quality from advanced decomposition, and the lack of available locations to tow for further investigation,' the academy noted. However, there have also been an unusually high number of sightings around the bay, including 33 individual gray whales. That's more than five times the number of whales that were sighted last year. Of those, approximately one-third have stayed in the Bay Area for at least 20 days, some of which were emaciated. Researchers are still working to determine what's driving the massive spike in sightings, and it is expected that gray whales will remain in the area for another one or two weeks before continuing their annual northern migration to feeding grounds in the Arctic. Dozens of gray whales have died along Mexico's Baja California peninsula since the year's start, and only five mother and calf pairs were identified in Laguna San Ignacio, where wintering whales gather. One of the main causes of death for whales on both coasts are vessel strikes, and the academy and the center pointed out gray whales can be even tougher to spot in the water than humpbacks and other coastal whales. To reduce the risk, they've altered ferry lanes based on sighting data and increased communication via the U.S. Coast Guard, so boaters can be 'whale aware.' If people do see a whale in the bay, they can report the sighting using the Whale Alert app, and people who find dead marine mammals are asked to contact the Academy's department of Ornithology and Mammalogy.
Global News
3 days ago
- General
- Global News
6 grey whales found dead in San Francisco Bay area in less than a week
Six grey whales have died in the San Francisco Bay area in the past week and authorities are trying to determine what could be causing the sudden deaths of the stranded marine mammals. The California Academy of Sciences and the Marine Mammal Center confirmed that the whales died between May 21 and 28, and noted that their necropsy response efforts to determine what has been happening is 'challenging.' 'Necropsy response efforts and data collection have been challenging for a number of cases due to inaccessible locations that hinder full post-mortem investigations, as well as poor tissue quality from advanced decomposition, and the lack of available locations to tow for further investigation,' officials said. 'As of today, May 28, 2025, a necropsy (animal autopsy) was conducted at Kirby Cove in the Marin Headlands. It is suspected that this subadult male is one of the two whales that was sighted on May 26, 2025. The cause of death is still under investigation. The other individual has not made landfall,' the officials added. Story continues below advertisement On May 28, one grey whale was found dead near Alamere Falls. On May 26, two more grey whales were reported dead, with one near Alcatraz Island and another at Point Bonita in Marin County. A female grey whale died on May 24 near Berkeley and another was found in Fisherman's Bay on Southeast Farallon Island, off the San Francisco coast, on May 22. On May 21, a yearling grey whale was found dead in Bolinas in Marin County. The Marine Mammal Centre added that this is the most number of dead grey whales 'since the Unusual Mortality Event that caused this species to lose roughly 45% of their population just a few years ago.' Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Our team has documented more whales in the Bay this year than any year in at least two decades. A stark reminder that this busy, commercial environment is one we share with our ocean neighbors. We are committed to continuing our work to study these animals and work with stakeholders to find solutions to protect them,' they added. Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen People look at the body of a deceased grey whale on the shore in Huntington Beach on April 12, 2025, in Los Angeles, Calif. A dead grey whale measuring about 50 feet in length washed up on the shore in Huntington Beach Friday afternoon, the city's Marine Safety Division said in a social media post. I RYU/VCG via Getty Images The recent reports of whale carcasses bring the total number of dead whales found in the Bay Area in 2025 to 14. The California Academy of Sciences confirmed that three of the 14 deaths were determined to be suspect or likely vessel strikes. 'The Center's Cetacean Conservation Biology Team has reported an unusually high number of sightings in the San Francisco Bay this year, with 33 individual gray whales confirmed via photo identification,' it said in a statement. 'By comparison, only six gray whales were sighted in the bay in 2024. Roughly one-third of these whales have stayed in the bay for at least 20 days, and their overall body condition has ranged from normal to emaciated.' They said that the reason behind the massive spike in sightings this year is still being investigated by researchers. Story continues below advertisement 'It is expected that gray whales will be in the bay for another one to two weeks before continuing their annual northern migration to arctic feeding grounds,' they added. Officials are warning boaters in the area to be 'whale aware.' 'With San Francisco Bay serving as a shared space for commerce and increased gray whale activity, experts at the Academy and the Center note it's vital that all boaters — from large commercial vessels to sailboats — be 'whale aware' and continue to slow down,' officials warned. 'Gray whales often have a very low profile in the water that can make them difficult to sight, unlike other coastal whales like humpback whales,' scientists continued. 'The Center is working with the San Francisco Harbor Safety Committee to find solutions to reduce the risk of vessel strike (including altering ferry lanes based on sighting data this year) and increase mariner communication announcements of heightened whale activity via the U.S. Coast Guard.' Story continues below advertisement People are being urged to report dead, injured or stranded marine mammals in the San Francisco Bay Area by calling the California Academy of Sciences for dead animals or the Marine Mammal Center for live animals. They are also asking the public to report whale sightings to the Whale Alert app or on the Marine Mammal Center's website. Grey whales have also been washing ashore in British Columbia this month, with a second dead grey whale reported on May 11 in Haida Gwaii, near the community of Skidegate. The cause of death is unknown, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada say confirming what happened through necropsy reports may take up to three months. The latest case comes after Parks Canada said a dead whale was spotted floating off Vancouver Island on May 6, before it washed ashore on Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve near Tofino. View image in full screen Parks Canada says a deceased grey whale, seen in this handout photo, has washed ashore on Long Beach near Tofino, B.C. SDVTHE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Parks Canada The federal department has warned people to not touch the dead whales and to keep dogs leashed, and is also asking anyone who sees whales being harassed or disturbed to report to the agency immediately. Story continues below advertisement —With files from The Canadian Press
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
6 gray whales have died in San Francisco in the past week as authorities scramble for answers
Six gray whales have died in the San Francisco Bay area in just the past week alone, bringing the total number of stranded whales to 15 so far this year as authorities rush to figure out what could be causing the sudden deaths. The California Academy of Sciences and their partners at the Marine Mammal Center confirmed that six gray whales died between May 21 and May 28 and that their necropsy response efforts to figure out what is going on has been 'challenging.' MORE: Tourists at beach house find human remains dating back 200 years 'Necropsy response efforts and data collection have been challenging for a number of cases due to inaccessible locations that hinder full post-mortem investigations, as well as poor tissue quality from advanced decomposition, and the lack of available locations to tow for further investigation,' officials said. 'As of today, May 28, 2025, a necropsy (animal autopsy) was conducted at Kirby Cove in the Marin Headlands. It is suspected that this subadult male is one of the two whales that was sighted on May 26, 2025. The cause of death is still under investigation. The other individual has not made landfall.' So far in 2025, 15 whales in total have died -- 14 gray whales and one minke whale -- in the greater San Francisco Bay area, with the causes of at least three of the gray whale deaths being suspected to have been caused by vessel strikes, officials said. MORE: Black bear found sitting on stove inside home after crashing through ceiling MORE: Florida man shoots neighbor's cow 5 times after it wandered onto his property 'The Academy and partners at the Center have not responded to this many dead gray whales since the height of the Unusual Mortality Event in 2019 (14 individuals) and 2021 (15 individuals),' scientists confirmed. In 2025, scientists have reported 'an unusually high number of sightings in the San Francisco Bay this year, with 33 individual gray whales confirmed. In 2024, only six gray whales were sighted over the entire year. MORE: Baby spider monkey and 2 rattlesnakes discovered during California meth bust 'Roughly one-third of [the whales this year] have stayed in the bay for at least 20 days, and their overall body condition has ranged from normal to emaciated,' scientists said. 'The reason or potential reasons behind the massive spike in sightings this year are still being investigated by researchers. It is expected that gray whales will be in the bay for another one to two weeks before continuing their annual northern migration to arctic feeding grounds.' The long-term outlook for gray whales in the aftermath of the 2019 to 2023 unusual mortality event saw a population loss of roughly 45% and observation scientists in southern California reported record-low calf counts earlier this year -- a cause for concern, according to scientists. MORE: 11-year-old boy accidentally shot to death by sibling inside of their home 'With San Francisco Bay serving as a shared space for commerce and increased gray whale activity, experts at the Academy and the Center note it's vital that all boaters -- from large commercial vessels to sailboats -- be 'whale aware' and continue to slow down,' officials warned. 'Gray whales often have a very low profile in the water that can make them difficult to sight, unlike other coastal whales like humpback whales,' scientists continued. 'The Center is working with the San Francisco Harbor Safety Committee to find solutions to reduce the risk of vessel strike (including altering ferry lanes based on sighting data this year) and increase mariner communication announcements of heightened whale activity via the U.S. Coast Guard.' 6 gray whales have died in San Francisco in the past week as authorities scramble for answers originally appeared on
