Dead Gray Whale Washes Ashore in Huntington Beach, Cause Still Unknown

A necropsy is underway to determine the cause of death, as officials address a troubling rise in gray whale mortality along the Pacific Coast.

A 50-foot female gray whale was discovered dead near the Huntington Beach pier on Friday, April 11, 2025.
The Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) responded promptly, initiating a necropsy on Saturday to investigate the cause of death.
Initial observations revealed no visible injuries such as boat strikes, shark bites, or entanglement marks, leaving the cause of death a mystery.
Local authorities, with NOAA's authorization, plan to bury the whale on Sunday morning to manage the situation effectively.
This incident adds to a concerning pattern of increased gray whale deaths this year, with over 70 reported in Baja California and three in San Francisco Bay.