In San Francisco Bay, six dead gray whales were discovered over the past week, marking a concerning trend in a year with an unusual increase in sightings of these animals. The whales were located between May 21 and the following Wednesday, with one found at Point Reyes National Seashore and two on the same day, one each at Alcatraz and Point Bonita. Most of these deaths did not undergo necropsies, with the partial necropsy of a yearling whale found inconclusive. A pending necropsy for the Wednesday whale has also yet to yield findings.
The increase in whale sightings, a total of 33 this year compared to just six in 2022, raises questions among researchers regarding both the reasons behind the fatalities and the surge in live whale sightings. Giancarlo Rulli from the Marine Mammal Center highlighted this uncertainty, noting the extraordinary nature of this year. Out of the 14 gray whales and one minke whale that have died in the area in 2023, three were confirmed to have died from boat strikes.
Researchers continue to explore the underlying causes for the larger number of whale sightings, with gray whales expected to migrate north again in one to two weeks. Historically, gray whales migrate approximately 10,000 miles annually, but they now primarily inhabit the North Pacific Ocean due to population changes. Their curiosity around boats makes them frequent sightings on whale-watching excursions. Unfortunately, this can lead to collisions and entanglements, which remain significant threats to their survival.
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