U.S. and Russian researchers on Oct. 4 attached the cigar-size satellite tag to a 13-year-old, male western Pacific gray whale as part of research into where the rare whales spent winters. The whale, dubbed "Flex," astonished researchers by crossing the Pacific Ocean. Its location was last confirmed Feb. 4 off Siletz Bay, Ore. Researchers need at least two satellite signals from the tag to calculate the whale's position but had not received even one in the last 10 days.
"I think our adventure with Flex is over for now," said Bruce Mate, director of Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute
Only about 130 western Pacific gray whales remain and little is known of their winter habits. They spend summers near Sahkalin Island.
A few eastern Pacific gray whales are still heading south. A crew looking for Flex spotted a dozen south of Monterey, Calif., last week.
Researchers will be photographing whales in California and in breeding lagoons and may eventually match one to Flex.
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