CNN: Gray Whales Are Dying Along the Pacific Coast
- Malnutrition
- Pathology
- Climate change
Gray whales are dying along the Pacific Coast: The warming Arctic may be to blame
Published in CNN: March 16, 2022
Since 2019, an international group of scientists, field biologists and volunteers have been investigating a mysterious phenomenon known as an Unusual Mortality Event, or UME, that’s been killing off one the world’s heartiest survivors: the northern Pacific gray whale. In that time, the number of stranded gray whales has reached 500 — a fraction of the many thousands that likely died and sank to the ocean floor.
While its underlying cause remains elusive, many researchers point to the conditions in and around a rapidly changing Arctic Ocean. The retreating ice sheet, warming waters and a shifting ecosystem may be decimating gray whales. Understanding these threats to the whales could reveal an even broader ecological impact — and another piece of Earth's biome rewritten by climate change.
Yes, I want to save a life!
Yes, I want to save a life!
You’ll be giving sick and injured animals the best possible care at the Center’s state-of-the-art hospital. With your gift today, you are giving a patient a second chance at life in the wild.
See Our Latest News
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Other species\/cropped-images\/two-seals-playing-shutterstock-250-0-3211-2510-1602631793.jpg","alt":"two seals playing on a beach","title":"Meaningful Father\u2019s Day Gifts for Ocean Lovers","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/eco-friendly-fathers-day-gifts-that-give-back","label":"News Update","date":"2025-05-09 12:37:57"}
{"image":"\/People\/Action\/Veterinary care\/cropped-images\/cara-field-hs-eye-exam-by-elena-graham-c-the-marine-mammal-center-117-0-1270-992-1746828532.jpg","alt":"Dr. Cara Field performs an exam on a harbor seal pup","title":"Marketplace: Diving below the surface with an aquatic veterinarian","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/marketplace-diving-below-the-surface-with-an-aquatic-veterinarian","label":"In the News","date":"2025-05-05 02:00:00"}
Marketplace: Diving below the surface with an aquatic veterinarian
May 5, 2025
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Elephant seals\/cropped-images\/es-duo-in-pool-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-80-0-1270-992-1746831113.jpg","alt":"two elephant seal pups in a pool","title":"But Why: What\u2019s a seal? What\u2019s a sea lion?","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/but-why-whats-a-seal-whats-a-sea-lion","label":"In the News","date":"2025-05-02 02:00:00"}
{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/California sea lion\/cropped-images\/csl-release-4-5-24photo-by-chris-deimler-c-the-marine-mammal-center-138-0-1270-992-1745348188.jpg","alt":"Four young California sea lions walk on the beach toward the ocean.","title":"Achievements in Ocean Health","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/achievements-in-ocean-health","label":"News Update","date":"2025-04-23 10:20:00"}
pathology
climate change
Pádraig Duignan
Kathi George
Gray Whale