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.