Gray Whale and Calf Overview
A gray whale and calf travel together during one of the longest migrations of any mammal. The mother nurses the calf with high-fat milk while moving between cold feeding grounds and warm breeding lagoons.
Migration Route and Timing
Each year, gray whales and calves migrate from Arctic feeding areas to sheltered calving lagoons along the Pacific coast of Mexico. The journey can cover more than 10,000 miles round trip. Calves stay close to their mothers for protection and warmth during the long swim.
Conservation and Threats
Gray whale populations have recovered from past commercial whaling but still face threats from ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and habitat changes. Organizations such as the World Wildlife Fund monitor gray whale and calf health to support ongoing conservation efforts and reduce human impacts along migration routes.
