
Scientists respond to two additional gray whales in San Francisco Bay
Scientists respond to two additional gray whales in San Francisco Bay as frequent sightings continue
The whales mark the second and third found dead in the San Francisco Bay Area within a week
Scientists at The Marine Mammal Center and partners at the California Academy of Sciences can confirm that two additional dead gray whales have been found in the San Francisco Bay Area. The joint team plans to conduct a necropsy, or whale autopsy, on a gray whale at Angel Island State Park on Friday, April 4 at low tide to investigate one of the animal’s deaths. The additional gray whale, reported Friday morning off Fort Point Rock Beach in San Francisco, is currently in an inaccessible location caught in rocks just offshore. No timetable for response has yet been determined for that individual as it may continue to float with the tide.
The Center received reports of a dead gray whale floating east of Angel Island on Wednesday afternoon, April 2. A team of responders from the Center collected initial tissue and skin samples from a research vessel later in the day. The team identified the whale as an adult male and noted the carcass was bloated and in a state of advanced decomposition -- indicating it had been dead for some time.
The whale was resighted Thursday morning, April 3, and in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the whale was successfully towed and landed at Angel Island State Park. Advanced permission to land the whale was provided by State Park staff.
The Center received an additional report of a dead gray whale off Fort Point on Friday morning around 11 and confirmed its location shortly thereafter. The age class and sex of the individual is currently unknown.
“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. With the bay serving as a shared space for commerce and increasing whale activity, it’s vital that all boaters, from large commercial vessels to sailboats, be whale aware and if you see a blow, go slow.”
George notes that in the past two weeks, multiple ferry operators in the Bay have taken action to avoid whales, including cutting their engines after spotting a gray whale to allow it to pass safely before resuming their routes. George adds that these efforts are the result of improved communication through the United States Coast Guard’s Vessel Traffic Service (VTS), ongoing collaboration within the San Francisco Harbor Safety Committee, and the proactive actions of individual stakeholders.
For more information or to set up an interview on this topic, please contact us at media@tmmc.org.
For breaking news about our whale responses as well as additional press materials, bookmark MarineMammalCenter.org/whale-stranding.
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\/Elephant seal\/cropped-images\/elephant-seal-mom-and-pup-photo-c-brian-simuro-156-0-1270-992-1748974858.jpeg","alt":"Northern elephant seal and pup","title":"The New York Times: Racing to Save California\u2019s Elephant Seals From Bird Flu","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/the-new-york-times-racing-to-save-californias-elephant-seals-from-bird-flu","label":"In the News","date":"2025-06-03 02:00:00"}

The New York Times: Racing to Save California’s Elephant Seals From Bird Flu
June 3, 2025
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Wild\/Gray whale\/cropped-images\/a-dead-gray-whalesf-bay40225photo-c-the-marine-mammal-center-53-0-1270-992-1748642560.jpg","alt":"a dead gray whale in the water with birds flying above","title":"NBC News: Six dead gray whales found in San Francisco Bay area in the last week","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/nbc-news-six-dead-gray-whales-found-in-san-francisco-bay-area-in-the-last-week","label":"In the News","date":"2025-05-29 02:00:00"}

NBC News: Six dead gray whales found in San Francisco Bay area in the last week
May 29, 2025
Read More{"image":"\/Animals\/Patients\/Elephant seals\/cropped-images\/es-hoffman47927-photo-by-bill-hunnewell-c-the-marine-mammal-center-124-0-1270-992-1748384535.jpg","alt":"An An elephant seal\u2019s face with long black whiskers and wide eyes emerges from the water. ","title":"Adaptations of the Deep: Seal Whiskers and Eyes","link_url":"https:\/\/www.marinemammalcenter.org\/news\/adaptations-of-the-deep-seal-whiskers-and-eyes","label":"Patient Update","date":"2025-05-28 02:00:00"}

{"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"}

Gray Whale