Some scientists have discovered that the Pacific gray whale population, which was believed to have fully recovered from whaling, is actually only a small fraction of what it used to be. By examining genetic variation within the species, researchers found that before large-scale hunting in the 19th century, there were around 96,000 gray whales in the Pacific Ocean, compared to the current count of 22,000. This means that the current population is only 19 to 29 percent of what it used to be. The gray whale, a large baleen whale that feeds on small sea creatures, has been swimming the world's oceans for around 20 million years. Despite being one of the few baleen whale populations to recover completely from whaling, recent genetic surveys show a higher level of diversity than expected, suggesting that there were once many more gray whales in the Pacific Ocean. Once hunted to near extinction, the gray whale population reached a low point of possibly only a few thousand in the late 19th century and 1920s. The gray whale was once present in the Atlantic Ocean but disappeared centuries ago, possibly due to whaling. Found along North America's Pacific Coast, these whales migrate between arctic seas and Mexico's Baja California lagoons. Named for their gray patches and white mottling on dark skin, they can reach lengths of about 46 feet (14 meters) and weigh up to 40 tonnes. Gray whales feed by scooping up mud and consuming small crustaceans and tube worms found in sediments on the sea bottom. The International Whaling Commission granted the gray whale partial protection in 1937 and full protection in 1947, according to the American Cetacean Society. While once heavily hunted, gray whales are now a popular attraction for whale watchers along the Pacific coast of North America. Despite this protection, the whales are still sometimes targeted by hunters. Recently, five American Indian hunters from Washington state may face charges from their Makah tribe for illegally hunting and killing a gray whale using harpoons and a rifle typically used for hunting elephants. Scientists have observed a number of gray whales in recent years suffering from starvation. The researchers stated that the whales are finding less food in their Arctic feeding grounds because of changing climate conditions. They believe that not only the gray whales, but also other animals are being affected by this decrease in whale numbers. One of the researchers, Steve Palumbi from Stanford University, mentioned that Arctic seabirds rely on the creatures unearthed by the whales while they feed on the ocean floor. Palumbi estimated that if there were 96,000 gray whales present, they could have provided enough food to sustain over a million seabirds each year.