Grey whales are dying from malnutrition due to sea ice changes

Biologists from NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), Southwest Fisheries Service Center, taking tissue and skin samples from a decomposing 43-foot grey whale on Lower Trestles beach in San Onofre State Park. Photo: TNS

Grey whales are dying at twice the usual rate as a brutal migration unfolds, with whales washing up on Washington state beaches, apparently starved to death.

As if grey whales didn't already have enough trouble, with transient killer whales preying on their calves as the mighty greys swim north in their annual migration from their birthing lagoons in Baja. But now, grey whale mothers in particular, depleted by the demands of lactation, are starving, too.