Whale Arrivals in Baja Puzzling
Scientists are puzzled about why more than 2,500 gray whales arrived this week at their winter homes on the coast of Baja California, the newspaper El Universal reported.
Some of the whales, apparently confused by the early migration, have beached themselves and died, government officials said.
Scientists say changes in weather caused by industrial contamination, the weakening of the ozone layer and other forms of pollution may be at work.
The whales normally spend the summer near Alaska. In December and January, the whales historically migrate to Baja California. Other whales, including the humpbacked and the blue whales, also make the journey to the Bays of San Ignacio along the peninsula of Baja California.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
