Prey, parasites and pathology associated with the mortality of a juvenile gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) stranded along the northern California coast

An eastern Pacific gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) stranded off Pelican Point, Tomales Bay, California, USA, was examined for physiological paramet ers, prey, parasites and associated pathology. The whale was emaciated, and hematological examination revealed an elevation in hematocrit, serum sodiu m, potassium, electrolyte values and hypoglycemia. Parasites recovered incl uded 5 species, 1 ectoparasite (Cyamus scammoni), and 4 helminths (Anisakis simplex, Ogmogaster antarcticus, Ogmogaster pentalineatus, Bolbosoma balan ae) with the latter causing multifocal transmural abscesses, Histological e xamination indicated severe acute lung congestion, minimal, multifocal, lym phocytic, interstitial myocarditis, and mild hepatocellular and Kupffer cel l hemosiderosis. The prey taxa present in the stomach indicated the whale w as feeding on hard bottom communities prior to death.