Gray Whale death tolls mount

Their northward migration in the spring is closer to land than the fall-winter route, scientists say. By the time they pass through Northwest waters, they have not eaten for several months. Apparently, some animals simply don't make it. The National Marine Fisheries Service estimates that 800 gray whales die of natural causes each year - about 3 percent of the estimated total population of 26,000. "Some of them die at sea and are consumed by sharks," Gorman said. "But some will wash up on shore, and some of those will turn up in populated areas."

Scientists attempt to analyze each of them, but most of the specimens are sick, malnourished and far too deteriorated to be worth much to scientists. Researchers need specimens from normal animals, not just sick ones. If the animal has been sick, it probably is using more of its blubber reserves, which could distort scientific analysis.

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