Fifth Dead Gray Whale Found in San Francisco Bay

A dead gray whale was discovered at Alameda's South Shore Beach, marking the fifth whale to wash ashore in the San Francisco Bay Area in recent weeks. Scientists believe this adult female whale may be the same one first seen floating near the USS Hornet Museum days earlier. The Marine Mammal Center and California Academy of Sciences collected skin and blubber samples and plan to conduct a necropsy at Angel Island State Park to determine the cause of death. This recent spate of stranded whales, including a minke whale euthanized after repeated strandings, is considered unusual by marine experts and has raised concerns about whale mortality in the region. Authorities have issued warnings to mariners to exercise caution due to increased whale presence, leading some ferry operators to alter routes or stop engines to prevent collisions. One confirmed whale death in the area was attributed to a probable ship strike.