Los Angeles, CA – A deceased gray whale was discovered washed ashore at Dockweiler State Beach in Los Angeles County on Sunday, February 2, 2025. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) confirmed the finding, reporting that the adult female whale measured approximately 37 to 40 feet in length.
Officials Respond and Conduct Necropsy
Upon discovery, local authorities, including the L.A. County Department of Beaches and Harbors and California State Parks, swiftly cordoned off a portion of the beach to ensure public safety. PMMC marine experts and volunteers arrived at the scene to conduct a necropsy (animal autopsy) to determine the cause of death.
“The whale appeared to be thin and exhibited a moderate infestation of whale lice, which suggests it may have been in poor health before its death,” PMMC stated in a release.
Unusual Mortality Event for Gray Whales
Marine scientists are particularly concerned due to the ongoing challenges facing the gray whale population, which has suffered from an unusual mortality event from 2019 to 2023. Researchers attribute this decline to reduced prey availability, leading to malnutrition and lower reproductive success.
“Monitoring this population is critical to understanding whether they are recovering from recent losses,” PMMC emphasized. “Data collected from this necropsy will contribute to ongoing research efforts on gray whale health and survival.”
Next Steps in Investigation
PMMC specialists are conducting further tests and sample analyses to determine the precise cause of death. Once all findings are reviewed, a full report will be released to contribute to marine conservation research.
Gray whales are known for their long annual migrations between feeding grounds in the Arctic and breeding areas in Baja California, Mexico. Scientists are closely monitoring whale populations to assess their overall health and resilience amid environmental changes.