The Tale of the Wayward Whale
A California gray whale has apparently made a wrong turn ending up in San Diego Bay. A local news reporter suggests it must be a male because men never ask for directions. Whatever the gender, the whale has been in the bay for at least nine days and appears in no hurry to leave.
California gray whales migrate between Alaska and the waters of Baja, California yearly, a journey of about 10,000 miles round trip. They feed voraciously during summers in Alaska on the nutrient rich crustaceans on the muddy bottom at the mouths of rivers then travel south for the winter months to warmer waters to give birth and mate.
The gray whale is classified as a medium - sized whale in relation to their larger cousins, the Blue and Humpbacked whales. California Grays grow to 30 - 45 feet in length and weigh in at about 2000 pounds per foot on average.
The California gray whale was nearly extinct as recently as fifty years ago before federal protections were afforded them - specifically the Marine Mammal Protection Act. They have rebounded successfully and were removed from the US Endangered Species List in 1994. There is now an estimated thirty thousand of these marine mammals swimming in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Their migration is a fascinating adventure. They travel relatively close to the shoreline and can be seen from cliffs many times in many areas along the California coast. In fact, a considerable tourist business has emerged in recent years whale watching. Boats are available during the winter months which roam out to sea for several miles to look for whales swimming north or south. The practice was getting out of hand a few years back as boaters crowded the whales trying to get up close and personal until measures were enacted to force boaters to stay a certain distance from the whales to avoid frightening them. Stiff fines ensure the rules are followed as much as $12,000 for hitting a whale with your boat; they are enforced strictly.
Their journey south to Baja each winter ends in protected, warm water, shallow lagoons along the Pacific Coast of Mexico. One such secluded and sheltered calving ground is Laguna San Ignacio, a nursing area for the grays. Here the whales truly are very friendly towards humans. Mama whales actually push their young towards pangas, diminutive Mexican fishing boats with small motors, limited in their numbers. Humans and whales interact. Those who have experienced the phenomenon say it is life changing to look a baby whale in the eye and pet it as the mother swims nearby monitoring the encounter seemingly acquainting her baby by saying to it "These are humans - some are nice to you; some are not."
According to the Southwest Fisheries Science Center (NOAA Fisheries Service): "The northbound migration is composed of two distinct pulses of whales. The first is composed of adults and juveniles, and the second is made up almost entirely of cows with their three month old calves."
Our San Diego Bay whale, about 30 feet in length, is estimated to be about two years old and has adopted the bay since about March 10th when it was first spotted by boaters. It is not a normal sighting to see such a large creature in the bay although marine biologists with the U. S. National Marine Fisheries Service say gray whales occasionally stray off course. However, it is rare for a whale to come into the bay and stay for a long period. Yet, this whale - some are calling it "Diego"- seems perfectly content here among us. Concerned with anyone inadvertently injuring the whale, officials are urging the public to keep a 100 yard separation between their boat and the marine visitor.
Currently, San Diego Harbor Patrol personnel, with assistance from Sea World staff, are monitoring the whale. It appears in good health and is swimming strongly. Migrating whales do not eat while on their journey preferring to stockpile fat reserves while gorging themselves in Alaska.
Although it was herded towards the open ocean initially, it returned to the bay and currently no attempts are being made to guide it back out to sea.
It has traversed nearly the entire bay in a week and cruises leisurely along its way seemingly interested and curious at what it sees.
As for stopping by San Diego, who could blame him? San Diego is a great place to stop off for a rest on such a long journey. Lots of people do it all winter long - though not many swim in the bay as extensively as "Diego".
Enjoy your stay, fella!