Dive into the Magical World of Gray Whales

During the 17th and 20th century, the whaling industry had depleted the gray whale population causing this magical animal to become nearly extinct. Thankfully, today their numbers have increased to an estimate of 20,000. They live  in the Eastern North Pacific Ocean, the Western Pacific Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean. The United States removed the gray whale from the endangered list in 1994, but is still protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The gray whale plays an important role in the overall health of the marine environment and it would be devastating to see these magical animals disappear.

Here are some interesting facts about the gray whale:

1. The scientific name for the gray whale is Eschrichitius robustus. The name is derived from Eschricht, which was the last name of a Danish zoology professor, and robustus which is the Latin world for strong.  The gray whale's common name is due to their appearance. They are dark gray with lighter gray patches and white spots. These white spots are barnacles and whale lice giving them the appearance of a crusty ocean rock. They can grow to be 48 feet long and weigh 80, 000 pounds. They live up to 50 to 70 years! 
2. Pacific gray whales are known as the "friendly whales" since they are known to approach boats at their winter calving grounds in Baja California Sur, Mexico. 
3. The gray whale has one of the longest migrations of any mammal. It travels 10,000 miles round trip every year from their Arctic feeding ground (where they search for mollusks, tube worms and small crustaceans) to their birthing lagoons in Baja, Mexico.
4. The International Whaling Commission partial protection to the gray whale in 1937 and full protection in 1947. The Eastern North Pacific Gray whales were protected by the Endangered Species Act until 1994, but are still protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The Western North Pacific Gray whale population is listed under the Endangered Species Act as endangered, but the Eastern North Pacific population has been increasing steadily.  

Even with the help of acts like the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the gray whale does face threats. Some of these threats include habitat degradation, collisions with ships, entanglement in fishing gear, chemical pollution, oil and gas development. Let's look at some of these threats in detail and how they harm the gray whale.

One of the top most concerns is the pollution caused by oil and gas development. According to spokesperson Leigh Henry of the World Wildlife Fund, oil companies have overlapped their gas leases with the gray whales feeding grounds. When looking for oil, sonic booms are used creating a deafening noise which can disorient the gray whale who uses deep sounds to do just about everything. Gray whales use deep sounds to navigate through the oceans, locate food, find mates. Not only does this noise affect their day to day activities but it can cause the calf to separate from its mother! Oil companies also bring the risk of oil spills and some companies are not prepared to handle these incidents. A great example of this concern was the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico a few years ago. Oils spills have caused the gray whale to change its migration pattern and foraging for food habits which has caused them to come in closer contact with fishing boats. Gray whales have been found with injuries from the propellers of these boats. 

Would you like to meet the gray whale up close and personal? Check out the fascinating opportunities like the Baja Whale and Turtle Research tour or the Whalesof Southern California volunteer expedition. 

What to learn more? Take a look at the many wonderful adventures available with SEEtheWILD. 

Wildlife Travel with a Side of Adventure

Incorporating outdoor sports that range from hiking to snorkeling, SEEtheWILD’s Adventure Travel Tours are perfect for the active wildlife enthusiast. Learning opportunities abound as you explore the open ocean, mountains, rainforest and other stunning environments, viewing wildlife in their natural habitat, with the assistance of multi-talented, naturalist guides. In addition to offering tips on how to navigate Alaska’s coastal waters by sea kayak or stealthily trek the Amazon rainforest, experienced guides will educate you on local culture, flora and fauna. It’s a hands-on, thrill-packed learning experience – perfect for the adventurous at heart.

As always, proceeds from these tours support local conservation efforts at your destination, while tour operators, lodging, meals and other services are locally sourced in order to strengthen local economies and promote sustainable tourism. In short, you can enjoy a spectacular adventure while doing your part to support wildlife conservation.

The following five trips are our most popular adventure tours; you can also browse our full selection of adventure tours on our website.

Glaciers and Grizzlies: Delve into the coastal rainforest habitat of Southern Alaska as you explore the shoreline of Glacier Bay and the rugged wilderness of Denali National Park, home of North America’s tallest peak. Hike through thick old growth in search of bears and other wildlife, and view calving glaciers and whales by boat. This 11-day trip starts at $6,395 per person.

Nicaragua Wildlife Adventure: Venture into Nicaragua’s rich cultural history, rural villages, and stunning natural landscapes by foot, bike and kayak on this family-friendly tour. You will explore key sea turtle nesting beaches, rainforest, volcanic craters and peaks, as well as colonial architecture and vibrant towns. Starting at a mere $2,850, this 9-day trip will give you more than your money’s worth.

Peru Andes and Amazon Expedition: From the heights of the Andes to the lowland rainforest of Tambopata, you will explore a vast swath of Peru’s fascinating landscape. Walk among the towering edifices of the Sacred Valley, visit Inkaterra’s spectacled bear conservation project, and boat and hike through species-rich rainforest on this 11-day tour. Starts at $3,375 per person.

Yellowstone Wildlife Safari: Explore one of the world’s first and most famous National Parks, Yellowstone, as well as its gorgeous neighbor, Grand Teton National Park. On wheels and on foot, you will seek out wildlife ranging from wolves and bears to bison and elk. Stops at stunning geothermal landmarks including Old Faithful and the Midway Geyser Basin, and views of soaring peaks will complete your experience. This 7-day trip starts at $3,995 per person.

Whale Sharks and Turtles of the Yucatan: Experience the highlights of the region known as the Mexican Riviera. Swim with whale sharks, the largest species of fish in the world; walk sea turtle nesting beaches; tour the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve; and explore the Mayan ruins of Tulum. Opportunities to enjoy world-class beaches and soak in cultural experiences also abound. This incredible 7-day experience starts at a mere $1,995 per person.

No matter the sport, wildlife or region you wish to experience, you will find ample adventure and enjoy wildlife conservation education on these eye-opening trips. It’s a great way to support conservation while getting your travel fix.