At least three gray whales have been found dead in San Francisco Bay over the past week, raising concerns among marine scientists about the species’ declining population. The first whale was discovered near the Golden Gate Bridge on March 17, followed by a second found wedged under pilings at the Phillips 66 Refinery in Rodeo on March 25. A third whale was located off Tiburon near the Larkspur Ferry Terminal, and a fourth was reported near Oakland Harbor over the weekend. The whale near Oakland Harbor is being transported to Angel Island for a necropsy, while the second whale could not be examined due to its difficult location.
Gray whales are currently migrating north to the Arctic, stopping in the Bay to rest and feed along the way. The species travels some of the longest annual migration routes of any mammal, covering roughly 10,000 to 14,000 miles round-trip. Scientists say the gray whale population, now around 12,900, is at its lowest level since the 1970s, and the species has faced a population decline of over 50% since 2016. Experts believe changing Arctic conditions may be affecting the whales’ survival. The Marine Mammal Center, which rescues and rehabilitates marine mammals, is urging anyone who sees whales in the Bay Area to report them. The organization is also working with local authorities to launch “Whale Smart,” a program training commercial vessel operators to reduce risks of collisions and promote safe coexistence in one of the nation’s busiest waterways.
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