WWF in Action: Gray Whales
Defending a Mighty Migration
Gray whales migrate more than 10,000 miles roundtrip each year—the longest for any mammal on Earth. Each winter and spring, their spectacular migration between northern feeding grounds and southern nursery areas offers amazing opportunities for whale watchers along the west coast. Gray whales have even earned the nickname of "friendly ones," as they have an unusual tendency to approach whale watching boats and check out the occupants.
By February, some whales are already beginning their northbound migration, back to feeding grounds near Alaska. Whale watchers may see both northbound and southbound whales this time of year. By late spring, all whales are heading north, many with their new babies.
Once they reach the cold Arctic waters, it’s time to eat. The whales feed continuously to put on enough weight for their eventual journey south and to last through the winter—as much as 2,400 pounds of food a day. That trip south begins in October for some, with the majority heading down in November.
The Arctic feeding grounds of the gray whale are critical to their survival, as they must eat enough to sustain them until they return the next year.
In the Gulf of California, WWF supports a research team that is monitoring the population size and health of the gray whales that return each winter. The team takes photos to identify individuals, collects tissue samples and records their underwater communication.
WWF is also working to ensure that the gray whale’s arctic habitat remains protected. Disturbances such as noise from oil and gas exploration can interfere with their ability to get enough to eat. WWF and its partners have been pushing for stricter environmental standards.
© Timothy Sharpe / WWF-US
