5 Grey whales wash up dead in 10 days

VICTORIA - The dead grey whale which washed ashore in East Sooke nearly two weeks ago is not the only one to have died from what appears to be starvation in nearby waters. In the past ten days, five grey whales have died between BC and Washington State. The latest was spotted in waters near Seattle. While numbers are higher that normal in such a short period of time, Anna Hall, a prominant marine biologist, isn't worried -- yet.

"It's part of the life cycle, but it is sad to see them washed up on shore or dead out in the sea," says Hall.

Malnutrition is the suspected cause of death in each case. Right now grey whales are migrating from Mexico to Alaska. They don't typically feed until they get up north.

"If these animals have died of malnutrition, it's almost what we would expect this time of year," says Hall, "if there are some weaker animals or if food supplies have dwindled for some reason."

Marine biologists say there are about 80 grey whales which spend the summer in BC waters. The rest migrate and may spend only a couple of days near Vancouver Island. Finding out if the dead whales are migratory or resident will tell scientists a lot about the condition of our oceans.

Lance Barrett-Lennard works at the Vancouver Aquarium. He says that grey whales are suceptible to global warming, and changes in the ecosystem around their feeding grounds.

It is impossible to know if global warming has had an effect, or if anything has changed at this point, but scientists at the Vancouver Aquarium and here in Victoria are keeping an eye on the situation, hoping 2010 won't be like 1999 when more than 100 grey whales died on the west coast.

To help keep track, you're asked to report anything unusual. If you see a dead grey whale, contact the BC Marine Mammal Response Network at 1-800-465-4336.

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