Gray whales washing up dead on West Coast; scientists cite starvation

Dead gray whales have been washing ashore along the Pacific coast in elevated numbers, prompting scientific investigation into the cause. Scientists studying the phenomenon say the whales are starving due to a disruption in their food sources, according to Scientific American.

The die-off is believed to be connected to warming ocean temperatures that have affected the availability of small crustaceans and other prey that gray whales rely on during their migration and feeding seasons. Researchers continue to monitor the situation to better understand the scale and long-term implications of the trend.