Deceased Whale on Oregon Coast: Scientists May Already Have Clue in Cause of Death By Its Look

Published 03/27/26 at 7:45 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Florence, Oregon) – A large dead whale has been causing a stir along central Oregon coast beaches, with Oregon State Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) confirming it hit Baker Beach at Florence Thursday and that it will be buried soon. (Photo Oregon State Parks)

OPRD said the young male whale, estimated to be between 1 and 4 years old and about 37 feet long, was discovered shortly after sunrise Thursday in front of Driftwood Shores Resort. State parks staff said the animal appeared emaciated and likely died the night before it came ashore.

Members of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network conducted a necropsy in an effort to determine what killed the whale. They may already have a clue because of its appearance: “skinny whales” has been a thing along the West Coast for over a decade now, with a lack of food sources at least somewhat tied to climate change.

OSU marine biologists at the scene also noted signs of malnourishment, including Jim Rice, head of the Marine Mammal Stranding Network on the central coast..

"The pathology results probably won't be available for a few weeks, but we know that lots of gray whales have been stranding along the entire west coast since 2019," Rice told Oregon Coast Beach Connection. "The bottom line is that these whales are having a hard time finding enough to eat during their summer foraging seasons in the arctic, causing many of them to become malnourished."

Necropsy teams examine major organs and other tissues to look for evidence of disease, trauma, or other factors that may have contributed to the whale’s death.

Photo Jim Rice, Marine Mammal Stranding Network

Aside from the scientific data that can be gleaned, the one good thing coming out of this is that regional tribes were able to return to one of their cultural practices. Members of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw Indians harvested portions of the whale before the remaining carcass is buried, according to state parks.

With spring break drawing more visitors to the coast, the carcass quickly attracted crowds after going viral online. OPRD staff remained on site throughout the day to manage public access, even roping off the area.

The nearest western snowy plover nesting closure is at Baker Beach, north of the site, and officials said the incident did not affect protected habitat. Visitors were urged to keep a safe distance and follow instructions from park staff. All marine mammals, living or dead, are protected under federal law, and approaching or touching them is prohibited.

Background: The Skinny Whale Factor

While necropsy results are still forthcoming, nothing is certain yet. Indeed, the trend of skinny whales seems to be decreasing.

On the Oregon coast, Oregon State University’s Hatfield Marine Science Center researcher Leigh Torres has been a leading voice in gray whale health studies for years. In 2020, she and other scientists documented a growing number of whales in poor condition, noting many were noticeably thinner. That trend aligned with a spike in whale strandings across the Pacific Northwest in which the animals were also underweight.

Torres and her colleagues linked the decline in whale health to periods of weak upwelling - the ocean process that brings cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface and fuels the prey whales depend on.

They observed a clear relationship between oceanographic conditions, prey availability, and whale body condition, Torres said at the time. Their findings suggested that shifts in ocean processes may be contributing to the rise in “skinny whales.”

By 2022, Torres told Oregon Coast Beach Connection additional research strengthened that connection, underscoring how a changing climate is reshaping ocean ecosystems.

See the 2022 article 'Skinny Whales' Remain Issue on Washington / Oregon Coast, But May Be Lessening

“The gray whales eat mainly mysids while here off Oregon, so we are guessing that food supply might be reduced,” Torres said. “We are not sure of the cause: could be related to climate change, decline in kelp, reduced upwelling, disturbance from human activities.”

Below, graphic from OSU / Torres showing weight difference in whales over time

Scientists say the number of underweight whales has since begun to decline, however.

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