SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — During the last whale season along the Pacific and down into Baja California, 92 gray whales died as a result of climate change, according to Fey Crevoshay, communications director for Wild Coast, an international environmental group based in San Diego.
Crevoshay admitted the exact cause of death for the whales has not been identified, but said many whales were observed to be very malnourished and thin during the last whale-watching season.
“Human contamination has intensified climate change in the Arctic, something that has diminished available food where they gorge before heading down to the Baja California peninsula,” she said. “The phenomenon ‘La Niña’ also cooled off their traditional breeding grounds and forced the whales to travel further distances toward the south.”
Other known causes of death for gray whales are collisions with large vessels and fish nets.
Wildcoast and other conservationists in Tijuana unveiled a mural south of the border Thursday afternoon as a way to generate awareness for the plight of gray whales and a need to protect their habitat.
It was painted by artist Hanna Daly.
“This work of art demonstrates not only the beauty of these marine giants, but enforces our role to promote the need for conservation and protection of our environment,” said Crevoshay.
According to Crevoshay, one gray whale can reduce as much as 33 tons of carbon dioxide from the environment, as much as many tropical forests.
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