Skip to main content

Whales in San Francisco Bay

Roughly 30 gray whales have been spotted in the Bay this season, many more than is typical. Sadly, there have also been at least 14 deaths this year, which is more than in all of 2024. 

We are investigating to help determine the cause of these deaths. By gaining insights into what is causing these tragedies, we can better understand how to help prevent them.

Learn more
gray whale fluke
Keith Slenkovich

Keith Slenkovich

Partner, WilmerHale (retired)

Keith Slenkovich is a retired trial attorney, most recently practicing as a partner with the WilmerHale law firm. In his trial work, Keith served as lead counsel in state and federal trials throughout the United States, as well as in the International Trade Commission and other international tribunals. Keith has also served on the boards of multiple nonprofits, including Silicon Valley Habitat for Humanity (board member/chairman) and San Francisco Bay Area Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights.

Keith has a deep history of involvement with marine life organizations, including as a docent for Año Nuevo State Park Elephant Seal Reserve, interpretive guide for the Monterey Bay Aquarium, and has assisted on a multi-year, multi-agency sea otter tagging project studying sea otter behavior and relocation potential. For the last several years, Keith has also served as a rescue/response volunteer for The Marine Mammal Center’s Monterey Bay Operations (MBO) facility, participated in the Center’s whale disentanglement projects and provided kayak support for entangled sea lion special rescue operations.

See Full Board of Directors