Baby Gray Whale at Bandon Confirmed Killed by Orcas, Rarely Documented on Oregon Coast

Published 5/08/24 at 3:35 a.m. - Updated 5/08/24 at 3:25 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Bandon, Oregon) – [UPDATED] - There's absolutely no doubt now that orca season is in full swing on the Oregon coast, and it may end up as dramatic as last year's. (Photo Jim Rice, Marine Mammal Stranding Network)

A baby gray whale washed up in Bandon on Monday morning, and it turns out to be the result of orca predation.

These kinds of incidents involving the transient orcas that are in the area are rarely documented, and until recently they were never seen. Only one other incident in recent years is as such in this region.

Confirmation came late Monday night from Jim Rice, head of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

“Yes - it’s a gray whale calf that recently died due to killer whale predation,” Rice said.

The calf has the tell-tale scratch marks of killer whales, which are in the area to primarily hunt down seals and sea lions. However, they are known to hunt baby gray whales, which are still migrating through the region.

UPDATE: Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department said it is looking to remove the body for further study. Local tribes have first dibs and used it to revive a ceremony thousands of years old.

Last year, numerous witnesses saw and documented a pod of this special branch of transient orcas attacking a mother gray and her calf. The calf was eventually killed after hours of epic fighting on the mother's part. Dozens Watch and Document Orcas Attack, Kill Baby Whale on Oregon Coast: More Videos

Photo Jim Rice, Marine Mammal Stranding Network

The body washed up within a couple of days on the central coast.

At the time, Rice told Oregon Coast Beach Connection a surprising fact about how killer whales operate: “Orcas often only consume a small amount of each carcass they’ve killed.”

This appears to be the case with the baby calf at Bandon: you can see where some of its insides have been torn out, but not much else is missing from the body. Killer whales often use these hunts as practices and it is not always about getting a meal.

Look for further updates on this story later today on Oregon Coast Beach Connection as more is learned. It's possible regional experts will have a good guess on which pod killed the baby gray.

The Oregon Coast Killer Whale Monitoring Program has documented a steady stream of orca sightings along the coastline since the beginning of April. The transients are definitely here.

Click on photo to see full shot - content warning

Some have even been identified by their markings, which included some of that pod that did the killing last year.

Sightings appear to have kickstarted on April 3. Some of the other sightings noted by the public:

Photo Jim Rice, Marine Mammal Stranding Network

Around April 12, a handful were spotted in the Coos Bay area.

Between April 20 and 23, a few were spotted around the Mouth of the Columbia.

April 24 there were numerous sightings around Lincoln City's northern waters.

Around that time, Depoe Bay's Dockside Charters Sportfishing and Whale Watching spotted four on the central coast. See video

Near the jetties at Reedsport, on April 30, some reported seeing them chasing or at least scoping out sea lions resting on the rocks.

On May 3, there were at least four orcas abut six miles west of Newport.

These transient orcas typically shut down the show around June as seal pup birthing season winds down.

2023 saw some incredible observations, including a first for all regional experts - at least in this area. A mama gray and her calf got stuck in the surfline at a Tillamook County beach, and managed to get free as witnesses were filming. 3 Gray Whales Strand on Oregon Coast: Calf from Orca Attack; Mother and Calf Swim Away

Rice said that was a definite first for Oregon, and he said it was quite possible the whales were trying to hide from marauding orcas when they became stranded.

Oregon Coast Hotels in this area - South Coast Hotels - Oregon Coast Vacation Rentals - Where to eat - Maps - Virtual Tours

More About Oregon Coast hotels, lodging.....

More About Oregon Coast Restaurants, Dining.....

LATEST Related Oregon Coast Articles

Invasive Carp Found in Central Oregon Reservoir, Near Sutherlin
Common carp were introduced illegally and biologists are concerned.

Oregon Spring Cleanup Needs Volunteers for Coast, Inland - All Through April
SOLVE is expanding its largest spring volunteer effort. Brookings events, Gold Beach events, Port Orford events, Coos Bay events, Bandon events, Florence events, Yachats events, Newport events, Lincoln City events, Rockaway Beach events, Manzanita events, Cannon Beach events, Seaside events, Astoria events

Pictures of a Reconstruction: N. Oregon Coast's Ecola State Park Damage and R...
Photos show repairs underway at the Cannon Beach?area landmark. Traffic

Heceta Head Lighthouse Light is Out For Only Third Time in 130 Years of Orego...
Once in '61 and then in 2000: no repair date yet. Florence, Yachats, traffic

More Odd Washington Coast Whale News: Another Seen Inland, Some Necropsy Results
Preliminary findings from the Willapa River whale as another moves inland today. Marine sciences

This Weekend's Aurora Displayed Some Rarities Mostly to Central Oregon Coast
What could be light pillars, the STEVE effect and a rare red glow. Weather, astronomy. Seattle, Portland, Washington, Bend, Salem

Six Orcas Dazzle Oregon Coast - Pacific Northwest Sees 2st Gray Whale Wash Up
Oregon had its fifth dead gray whale; orcas heading south. See video. Marine sciences, whales

First Major Orca Sighting on Oregon Coast of the Year - Look for More Soon
Florence again saw the first sighting; more killer whales are likely on the way.

Back to Oregon Coast

Contact Advertise on Oregon Coast Beach Connection
All Content, unless otherwise attributed, copyright © Oregon Coast Beach Connection. Unauthorized use or publication is not permitted