With numerous gray whale strandings in the news in recent weeks, it’s a good time to put them in the spotlight. Marine biologist Barbie Halaska will lead us on a celebration of their incredible natural history. She will draw from her deep experience in performing necropsies and share how they help scientists learn more about the species and offer insights into the recent Unusual Mortality Event (2018 – 2023).

This free event is open to the public. REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. A suggested donation of $10 per participant is encouraged and greatly appreciated. Donations help cover webinar costs and support our education and cetacean research grant programs. To donate, please visit our website https://www.acs-sfbay.org/donate. We are grateful for your support!

Bio

Barbie Halaska is a marine biologist with 15 years of experience working with marine mammals primarily at The Marine Mammal Center. She began her work as a stranding coordinator and within a few years assumed the role of necropsy manager. Over the course of her career Barbie has followed her love for marine animal anatomy and disease through the necropsy of various pinniped species, sea otters, sea turtles, and cetaceans. All told, she estimates she has performed 1600 necropsies, 100 of which have been on large cetaceans. Large whales have been her greatest passion. This led her to the Dan Crocker marine biology lab at Sonoma State where she earned her master’s degree in 2023 with her thesis focused on gray whale nutritional condition. Recently, she was part of NOAA’s gray whale Unusual Mortality Event committee.