A concerning number of gray whale deaths have been reported in Baja California Sur, Mexico, and along the California coastline in 2025. Reports indicate that at least 94 whales have died since the start of the year in Mexico. Researchers are attributing this surge to scarce Arctic food sources due to late sea ice melt, exacerbated by the La Niña phenomenon.
The La Niña event has cooled traditional whale sanctuaries, pushing the animals further south to areas like Cabo Pulmo and La Paz, increasing their energy expenditure. This has led to malnutrition and increased mortality rates among juveniles and adults. Scientists have also raised alarms about a decline in gray whale calf births, potentially marking 2025 as a year with the fewest recorded births in Mexico.
The gray whale population experienced a significant decline between 2019 and 2023. Experts emphasize the need for stronger environmental protection and international cooperation to address the factors impacting gray whale populations, including climate change and disruptions to their Arctic feeding grounds.