Since 2019, a high number of gray whales have been stranding along the west coast of North America from Mexico to Alaska. This has prompted NOAA to declare an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) for the Eastern Pacific stock of gray whales which is still being actively investigated. Joining us on this episode is Dr. Aimée R. Lang, a researcher with NOAA, to tell us about this UME, latest findings on the cause(s), future outlook of the population, and what actions, if any, are being taken.