A day after a migrating gray whale appeared off Dana Point, heralding the start of another whale-watching season in Orange County, a killer whale megapod stole the spotlight.

http://www.grindtv.com/wildlife/rare-killer-whale-megapod-surfaces-southern-california/

Author John Wiens of the University of Arizona told Seeker that, in the U.S. alone, local extinctions have occurred "in 15 plant species, 18 marine fish species, 14 mammal species and 46 bird species. The plants include Gambel's oak and alligator juniper in southern Arizona. The mammals include the pika, pinyon mouse, jumping mouse and the alpine chipmunk. Marine fish include the Atlantic redfish. Birds include the dark-eyed junco, red-breasted nuthatch, two-barred crossbill and the Nashville warbler."

http://www.seeker.com/climate-change-is-driving-hundreds-of-local-extinctions-2136195660.html

They've traveled the world to see big game up close - then a mountain lion killed a deer on their front porch in California.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/mountain-lion-kills-deer-calif-couple-porch-article-1.2912435

The offshore killer whale is rarely seen as it usually keeps far from the coast.

http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_585340e0e4b08debb78858d6

Cal Poly’s Animal Science Department has partnered with The Marine Mammal Center on a new class that will give students hands-on experience in veterinary care of marine mammals.

http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/article122334164.html

There are only less than 60 species of vaquita now alive. It is the smallest porpoise in the world.

http://www.ibtimes.co.in/mexico-assemble-dream-team-save-vaquita-becoming-extinct-710284