One of the oldest species on earth are facing the brunt of global warming. Gray whales have been sighted in their breeding grounds near San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California, minus the fat, their shoulder blades and vertebrae sticking out.
Scientists believe that change in the eco systems have lead to warmer sea water in the north and this along with overfishing has affected the primary food source, the crustaceans. Researchers also believe that the reason behind sudden decline in the prey can be El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events. Melting sea ice and changing sea currents are impacting the amphipods, resulting in the reduction of food for the whales.
In the migration and calving period the Gray whales do not generally eat much as they rely on the fat conserved during the summer months but now as the natural prey is declining, they have to waste much of their energies in looking out for food.
With the traditional breeding grounds being affected by climate change, a significant downfall has been noted in the calf production as well.
Year 1930 had seen the whales on the verge of extinction, and then they grew too large to be able to feed on what the nature had provided. This lead to a massive malnourishment and Gray whales died in a massive way during 1999 and 2000 whereby their population was reduced to one third of the total. Researchers are working out if alternative prey could be a solution. It won’t be easy for the Gray whale to give up its primary food and take up something new with possible health hazards.
Via: Ocean Conserve
