Latest news with #KathiGeorge
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bay Area biologists count 5 dead whales in a week
The Brief Marine biologists told KTVU they have not seen this many dead whales in the region since what they call the "unusual mortality event" between 2019 and 2023. The causes of the most recent deaths are still under investigation, but researchers cite "vessel strikes" as the cause of three whale deaths earlier this year. SAN FRANCISCO - Researchers with the California Academy of Sciences and the Marine Mammal Center are looking into why five whales were found dead in the Bay Area within the span of a week. Marine biologists told KTVU they have not seen this many dead whales in the region since what they call the "unusual mortality event" between 2019 and 2023. Cal Academy reported 14 whales have died in 2025 – 13 gray whales and one minke whale. Since May 21 alone, stranded whales died near Alcatraz, Point Bonita, Berkeley, the Farallon Islands, and Bolinas. More whale sightings The number of deaths is high, because the number of whale sightings is at an all-time high. "The migration is a little bit later than it has been in years past and we're seeing more whales enter San Francisco Bay," said Kathi George, Director of Cetacean Conservation Biology at the Marine Mammal Center. This year alone, 33 gray whale sightings have been confirmed by photo identification so far. In 2024, biologists only saw four. "The entrance to San Francisco is a very busy area with lots of vessel traffic," said George. The possibilities While the causes of the most recent deaths are still under investigation, the Marine Mammal Center cites "vessel strikes" as the cause of three deaths this year in April and mid-May. George said the Marine Mammal Center works closely with the Harbor Safety Committee in San Francisco. She said ferry operators, the Coast Guard, and other boaters know to keep an eye out and veer out of the way when they see a whale. "It could be hard to see on a foggy day or a sunny day," George said. "So going slow, being aware that whales are in the water, are the best things that boaters can do right now." The last time this many whale deaths were tracked was between 2019 and 2023, when biologists said whales went through an "unusual mortality event," losing more than 45% of their population. What's next They're still looking into the reason behind the massive spike in sightings this year. George said the gray whales are expected to stick around for another week or two before migrating north. If you spot a whale, you're asked to take a picture and upload it to the Whale Alert app or contact the Marine Mammal Center. A necropsy is being performed on Wednesday for the deaths, which is important for researchers to determine how to protect the species. The Source California Academy of Sciences and the Marine Mammal Center, KTVU reporting
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Dead whales found in San Francisco Bay this week
SAN FRANCISCO - Two additional dead gray whales were found in the San Francisco Bay this week, according to a joint team of scientists on Friday. What we know Scientists from The Marine Mammal Center and their partners at the California Academy of Sciences said the additional dead whales were found April 2 at Angel Island State Park and April 4, at Fort Point Rock Beach. Necropsies on both animals are pending as their causes of death are undermined. For the male whale found near Angel Island State Park, the necropsy was scheduled during low-tide on Friday. Officials said that the whale was spotted floating east of Angel Island on Wednesday afternoon. Skin and tissue samples were collected from the dead whale later in the day. Officials said the whale appeared to be dead for some time, because its carcass was bloated, showing signs of an advanced state of decomposition. The next day, the whale was seen in the morning. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers successfully towed the whale to a secure area of the state park. The whale found Friday morning at Fort Point Rock Beach is in an area of rocks that is inaccessible, officials said. There is no timeline for when researchers will be able to get to that animal as it may continue to float with the tide, they said. The whale's age, class and sex are currently unknown, officials said. Local perspective "Our joint team is thankful to our partners at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for their invaluable support to help tow and position this whale so that we are able to investigate this animal's death," says Kathi George, Director of Cetacean Conservation Biology at The Marine Mammal Center. "There continues to be a significant number of gray whale sightings in San Francisco Bay as this species continues their northern migration to their arctic feeding grounds. George reminded vessels of all sizes to be whale aware. "If you see a blow, go slow," she said. In the past two weeks, George said multiple ferry operators have had to take action to avoid hitting whales. This has included cutting off their engines to allow the whales to safely pass. The increased presence of whales in the bay has put boaters on alert. The Coast Guard is broadcasting the following message over marine frequencies: "The Coast Guard has received multiple reports of whales in the Central Bay area, mariners are advised to transit the area with extreme caution." The marine wildlife presence has also caused some ferry companies to make temporary lane changes in an area east of Angel Island, where there has been a high number of whale sightings. On March 30, a female gray whale was found dead on Black Sands Beach in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. That whale's cause of death was undetermined. What you can do If you do see a whale in the bay or surrounding area, you can report the sighting and record your observations into the free Whale Alert app on your smartphone or to The Marine Mammal Center's website. To report a dead, injured, or stranded marine mammal in the San Francisco Bay Area, please contact one of two hotlines: For dead marine mammals, contact California Academy of Sciences: (415) 379 - 5381 For live marine mammals, contact The Marine Mammal Center: (415) 289 - SEAL (7325)
CBS News
02-04-2025
- Science
- CBS News
Dead gray whale washes ashore at Marin Headlands beach
San Francisco Bay has seen a recent influx of gray whales since late March, including one that washed ashore dead on a Marin County beach over the weekend. Since the whales started hanging out in the Bay, there have been multiple sightings and experts from the Marin Headlands-based Marine Mammal Center are advising boaters to be careful while out on the water because, while famously large, the animals are sometimes difficult to spot. "While this number of gray whales in San Francisco Bay is exciting to see, it does raise concerns for both human and whale safety," says Kathi George, director of cetacean conservation biology at the center. "Gray whales are difficult to see due to their low profile and coloration patterns that naturally blend into the bay. It's important for all boaters to be extra vigilant and whale aware." As for the dead whale, it was first spotted Saturday morning near Alcatraz Island. Personnel from the center and the California Academy of Sciences boated out to take tissue samples, photos and tag it with a buoy. By Sunday, the whale had drifted under the Golden Gate Bridge, out of the bay and onto Black Sands Beach in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area on the Marin Headlands. That's where a team of scientists was able to conduct a necropsy on the 36-foot whale Monday, according to Marine Mammal Center officials. While it's still unclear what killed the animal -- the first dead whale found in the region this year -- it was found to be emaciated and was likely a "subadult" female. There was no initial evidence of blunt force trauma from being hit by a boat, one of the top threats to gray whale safety. Tests on the dead whale's tissue samples to determine its cause of death can take several weeks to conduct. People can report dead, injured or stranded marine mammals in the San Francisco Bay Area by calling the California Academy of Sciences at (415) 379-5381 for dead animals or the Marine Mammal Center at (415) 289-7325 for live animals. People can also download a whale alert app online .
