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First Gray Whale Death of 2025 Confirmed in San Francisco Bay Area

A dead emaciated gray whale washed ashore at Black Sands Beach as near-record sightings in the Bay raise safety concerns for whales and boaters.

A 36-foot dead female gray whale rests on sand at Black Sands Beach in Golden Gate National Recreation Area, north of Shelter Cove, Calif., on Monday, March 31, 2025. Experts from The Marine Mammal Center and partners at the California Academy of Sciences were to perform a necropsy, or animal autopsy. A cause of death is not known at on Monday. (The Marine Mammal Center via Bay City News)
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The region’s first dead gray whale of the year, which was spotted on March 29, 2025.
The gray whale was spotted on March 29, 2025.

Overview

  • The 36-foot female gray whale was first spotted floating near Alcatraz Island on March 29 and washed ashore at Black Sands Beach on March 30.
  • A necropsy conducted by scientists found the whale was emaciated, but no signs of blunt-force trauma were observed; the cause of death remains undetermined pending further tests.
  • This is the first gray whale death recorded in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2025, coinciding with near-record sightings of the species in the region during their annual migration.
  • Experts warn boaters to exercise caution as gray whales are difficult to spot due to their low profile and coloration, with ferry routes already adjusted to avoid potential collisions.
  • The Marine Mammal Center and California Academy of Sciences encourage the public to report live whale sightings via the Whale Alert app to help protect the species.