Mocobizscene- A series of storms has left a 30-foot-long dead gray whale washed up on Bolsa Chica State Beach in Southern California, as captured in a video. Bicyclist Eric Meyer, when speaking to the Orange County Register, mentioned that on Thursday, Feb. 8, near Huntington Beach, he initially mistook the carcass of the whale for sea foam.
Meyer expressed his sadness after going on a whale trip and witnessing a gray whale. He described it as a somber sight to witness the demise of such a majestic creature.
According to the Marine Mammal Center, gray whales are currently making their way north along the West Coast, migrating from Baja California to the Arctic.
According to Justin Viezbicke, the California marine mammal stranding response coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the whale discovered at Bolsa Chica State Beach most likely washed ashore during the recent string of storms.
According to the expert, this is a common occurrence after the series of recent storms we’ve experienced. He explained that the debris and objects in the water are often pushed towards the shore by the strong winds and currents.
According to KABC, the whale may have already been deceased for a few weeks before it washed ashore. Gray whales are known to reach lengths of about 49 feet and can weigh up to 90,000 pounds, according to the NOAA. These majestic creatures embark on annual migrations covering up to 14,000 miles in total.
Gray whales are filter feeders and typically feed on invertebrates found on or near the sea bottom. According to experts, the exact lifespan of gray whales is still unknown. However, it is worth noting that one gray whale was estimated to have lived between 75 to 80 years before its demise.
Gray whales face a range of challenges that pose a threat to their survival. These include entanglement in fishing nets, collisions with ships, exposure to increasing ocean noise levels, and the impacts of climate change. Additionally, gray whales are preyed upon by orcas, more commonly known as killer whales.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been conducting research on the increased occurrences of gray whale strandings along the West Coast. A staggering number of almost 350 strandings have been documented in the United States since January 1, 2019.
Also Read:
- DC police seek suspects in attempted robbery and assault
- 15-year sentence handed down for man involved in drug trafficking network in Southeast DC
