Marine Mammal Stranding Network

At least one, and likely both, of the humpback whales that recently washed ashore along Monterey Bay succumbed to a neurotoxin caused by harmful algal blooms. And, fungi in the Mojave Desert may be key to the recovery of Joshua trees after a 2020 fire.

Researchers confirm an outbreak of bird flu in northern elephant seals at Año Nuevo State Park. Plus, a Monterey County jury awards $18.9 million to a woman hit by a car in a crosswalk at Point Lobos State Natural Reserve.

A dead humpback whale that washed ashore in Santa Cruz County will be left to decompose naturally. Scientists were able to take some samples of the marine…