Gray Whale Carcass Found on Huntington Beach After Recent Storms
The decaying 30-foot whale likely washed ashore due to heavy rainfall and flooding in California, marking a concern for the species' declining population.
- A decaying gray whale was discovered on Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach, California, following recent storms.
- Authorities are investigating the cause of death, while the whale's appearance suggests it had been dead for a few weeks.
- Gray whales, protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, are known for their long migrations from Alaska to Mexico.
- The gray whale population has significantly declined, from an estimated 27,000 in 2016 to 14,500 in 2023.
- This incident adds to concerns during an 'Unusual Mortality Event' declared for the species, with the lowest southbound count in 40 years reported.
Los Angeles Times 
Orange County Register 