Picture of a whale blowing water with a rainbow above it

Why are so many gray whales dying in the Pacific?

Scientists struggle to explain why the gray whale population plummeted by nearly a quarter between 2016 and 2020.

An adult gray whale swims off the coast of Baja California Sur. Each winter, gray whales migrate from their feeding grounds in Alaska to tranquil estuaries along Mexico’s Pacific coast. In recent years, an unexplained die-off has reduced the gray whale population by a quarter. In Baja, whales have been arriving later and appear much skinnier than in the past.
Unlock this story for free
Create an account to read the full story and get unlimited access to hundreds of Nat Geo articles.

Unlock this story for free

Want the full story? Sign up to keep reading and unlock hundreds of Nat Geo articles for free.
Already have an account?
SIGN IN

Read This Next

What bacteria lurk in your city? Consult the bees.
Is melatonin giving you nightmares?
Why are these orcas killing sharks and removing their livers?

Go Further

Subscriber Exclusive Content

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet

Why are people so dang obsessed with Mars?

How viruses shape our world

The era of greyhound racing in the U.S. is coming to an end

See how people have imagined life on Mars through history

See how NASA’s new Mars rover will explore the red planet