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Press Release -- Tuesday, June 5, 2007

The Marine Mammal Center
Marin Headlands
1065 Fort Cronkhite
Sausalito, CA 94965

Identity of the Two Wayward Sacramento Delta Humpback Whales Reveals They are from 
California

(Sausalito, Calif - June 5, 2007) - Results from biopsy samples taken from the two 
wayward humpback whales that traveled nearly 80 miles inland up the Sacramento River in 
May revealed that both are from the Eastern North Pacific stock of humpbacks, which are 
part of the California feeding population.  In addition, the calf has been identified as 
a female. John Calambokidis, a research biologist with Cascadia Research, collected the 
tissue samples from the mother on May 21 and from the calf on May 29.  The sub samples 
of these tissues were sent to Dr Scott Baker and Debbie Steel of the Marine Mammal 
Institute in Oregon for genetic analysis. 

  "The fact that the calf has been identified as a female and could possibly add to the 
population of already endangered humpbacks, shows how significant our rescue efforts 
were in helping this species thrive in the wild," said Dr. Frances Gulland, Director of 
Veterinary Science at The Marine Mammal Center.  "Through the tremendous efforts of 
local, state and federal agencies, we were able to provide a humanitarian response, and 
at the same time, learn more about these whales. Their boat injuries highlight the risk 
marine mammals now face as ocean traffic and noise increase."

  The report from the Marine Mammal Institute indicates that the mitochondrial DNA 
marker in the California feeding population is virtually absent from the British 
Columbia and South East Alaska feeding populations, therefore the Sacramento Delta 
humpbacks were not lost members of that British Columbia feeding herd.  The last 
humpback whale to travel up the Sacramento River to Rio Vista was Humphrey in 1985.  
Genetic testing completed by Dr. Scott Baker showed that Humphrey was also part of the 
California feeding population.

About The Marine Mammal Center:

  Headquartered in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in Sausalito, California, 
The Marine Mammal Center is a nonprofit veterinary hospital, research and educational 
center dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of ill and injured marine mammals - 
primarily elephant seals, harbor seals and California sea lions - and to the study of 
their health.  Since 1975, The Center has rescued and treated thousands upon thousands 
of marine mammals and has accumulated a body of knowledge about marine mammal and ocean 
health from its patients.  By educating the public about marine mammals, The Center 
hopes to foster ocean stewardship and conservation.  The Center is supported almost 
entirely by private funds.  For more information, visit www.marinemammalcenter.org

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