AssetID: 55757769
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Climate Change May Be Drawing Grey Whales Into a Deadly Trap in San Francisco Bay
Caption: Climate Change May Be Drawing Gray Whales Into a Deadly Trap in San Francisco Bay. Researchers are warning that an increasing number of grey whales are entering San Francisco Bay, where many are being killed by collisions with vessels in one of the busiest maritime corridors on the U.S. West Coast. Scientists believe climate change is altering conditions in the Arctic, reducing the availability of the whales' traditional food sources and pushing some animals to seek feeding opportunities in unfamiliar areas. A recent study found that at least 18% of the grey whales documented entering San Francisco Bay between 2018 and 2025 died there, with vessel strikes identified as the leading known cause of mortality. Researchers say the actual death rate could be considerably higher because some carcasses are never recovered or cannot be conclusively matched to previously identified whales. There has been a significant change in their behaviour, as grey whales historically passed by the Bay during their migration between breeding grounds and feeding grounds. This is another example of growing challenges for the Eastern North Pacific grey whale population, which has experienced major declines in recent years linked in part to malnutrition and ecosystem changes. Conservation groups, scientists and authorities are now focused on reducing ship strikes through measures such as voluntary speed limits, public awareness campaigns and improved monitoring. Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Current Affairs & Politics,grey whales,San Francisco Bay,deadly trap,migration,corridors,ships,strikes,death,conservationism,changes,patterns,behaviour,Arctic,Mexico,concerns
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