DNA evidence for historic population size and |
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S. Elizabeth Alter, Eric Rynes and Stephen R. Palumbi Published online in the Proceedings of the |
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How abundant were gray whales? Voices from history It has been estimated…that a thousand whales passed southward daily from 15th of December to the 1st of February. Accepting this number without allowing for those which passed off shore out of sight of land…the aggregate would be increased to 47,000. Capt. Charles Scammon, 1872 p. 23 In the Bay of Monterey, they have been seen rolling, with apparent delight, in the breakers along the beach. Scammon 1872 p. 2 “It is impossible to describe either the number of whales or their familiarity,” with breath that “caused a most annoying stench” French explorer Jean La Perouse, 1786 in Monterey |
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To see video illustrated on the left: Also: Links to broadcast quality video (BIG files) Research summary brochure from the Lenfest Ocean program Read the paper [PDF] |