The most recent whales won't have their causes of death determined because of inaccessible or unsafe locations, and the Marine Mammal Center is in talks with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration about possibly safely towing the whale carcasses into the open ocean so they can naturally decompose there.
"Over the last few years, our experts have observed gray whales frequenting San Francisco Bay in greater numbers and for longer periods of time. These whales are at increased risk from human activity, which is why we are committed to better understanding the ongoing challenges and threats these animals face," Kathi George, the center's director of field operations and response, said in a statement.