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Gray Whale Census
Today’s Count
ACS/LA Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project Update, Pt. Vicente Interpretive Center, 25 April 2026 - a pair of southbound GRAY WHALES, on this special "Whale of a Day" annual event at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center (and the 100 year birthday celebration for the Point Vicente Lighthouse!). This adult and large juvenile GRAY WHALE came within a half mile of shore - 90 minutes after we were scheduled to close for the day. At 5:50 pm (10 minutes before closing) we were alerted by independent offsite drone operator Mauricio Tassara (aka @empty_drone) that Redondo Beach Whale Watch had spotted a pair of southbound GRAY WHALES close to shore - and Mauricio also documented them. Two of our observers stayed an extra 90 minutes to document them. One whale had much larger blows, one whale fluked, and we saw a pectoral flipper. Census anchor M'Liz Callender helped track the whales from points north of us, and saw a head lift; Mauricio spotted a breach: well worth the overtime! We also watched a pair of fluking HUMPBACK WHALES, a few distant likely FIN WHALES, a likely MINKE WHALE, COMMON DOLPHINS., and a leaping shark that was likely a thresher shark; very rare sight! (Summary by Census Director Alisa Schulman-Janiger).
PHOTOS TODAY: "Whale of a Day" at Point Vicente, with Saturday afternoon Census crew (left to right): Cheryl Beske, Stacey Patterson, and Carla Gagne (by Census anchor Chad Sprouse); aerial view of our southbound gray whales (by independent offsite drone operator Mauricio Tassara aka @empty_drone).
GRAY WHALES TODAY:
Southbound: 2
Northbound: 0
Cow/calves south: 0
Cow/calves north: 0
Total: 2
GRAY WHALES TO DATE (since 1 Dec)
Southbound: 214
Northbound: 435
Cow/calves south: 17
Cow/calves north: 14
Total: 649
#acsladailycount #graywhalecensus #graywhales #commondolphins #shark
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This project runs during daylight hours, from December 1st through late May, on the patio of the Point Vicente Interpretive Center.
Gray Whale Census and Behavior Project
This full season shore-based gray whale census has operated on the Palos Verdes Peninsula since 1984. Trained volunteers spot and track Pacific gray whales on their annual migration, recording counts and behaviors. They also identify and record other marine mammals seen. This project runs during daylight hours, from December 1st through late May.
Research Grants
Every year, the Los Angeles Chapter of the American Cetacean Society awards scientific research grants to researchers or students studying cetaceans.
Travel Awards
Every other year we give out Travel Awards to help aspiring cetacean researchers attend both the American Cetacean Society's International Conference and the Society for Marine Mammalogy Conference.
Whalewatch Program
Sponsored in collaboration with the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, ACS-LA trains volunteers (college age and up) as naturalists to accompany whale watching adventures on boats that departing from local landings December 26 through March, educating the public about the whales, dolphins, and marine life that live off our coast. Naturalists also give presentations in classrooms and to groups.
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