Gray Whales Shrink by Over a Foot a Decade, New Study Reveals Ecosystem Warning Signs

A startling 13% reduction in size over the past two decades puts Pacific Gray Whales at the center of environmental concerns.

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Researchers at Oregon State University uncover troubling trends as these marine giants show a significant decrease in body length.

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A closer look at the Pacific Coast Feeding Group reveals that 200 gray whales are displaying signs of stress in shallower, warmer waters.

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Using advanced drone technology, scientists have measured the diminishing sizes of these whales from 2016 to 2022.

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Adult gray whales born in 2020 are expected to be over 1.65 meters shorter than those born two decades ago.

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The impact of shrinking sizes is more pronounced in female whales, now mirroring the dimensions of their male counterparts.

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The study suggests that shifts in ocean upwelling and relaxation cycles may be depriving these whales of necessary nutrients.

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As ecosystem sentinels, the declining health of gray whales could spell wider trouble for marine life along the Pacific coast.

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This ongoing research raises new questions about the long-term survival of gray whales and the balance of their marine habitat.

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