Dead Oregon Coast Whale May Have Its Home on Beach Near Manzanita

Published 09/22/2016 at 7:21 PM PDT
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Manzanita, Oregon) - A 38-foot deceased Humpback whale that washed in and out of north Oregon coast beaches this week seems to have found a permanent home at Short Sand Beach in Oswald West State Park. (Photo of the humpback at Oswald West State Park courtesy Tiffany Boothe, Seaside Aquarium).

Or at least as permanent as any beach can get. Its current spot is considered stable enough that Oregon coast officials – including Oregon Parks and Recreations Department (OPRD) – are content to just leave it there. The biggest reason is that there is no way to get heavy equipment down there to bury it or get it out it the first place, so state officials will actually use it to teach about nature.

In fact, interpreters from OPRD will be on that beach this weekend from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to teach visitors about the whale and how it feeds the local environment.

When the full grown humpback washed up initially this weekend, it had a powerful and foul smell because its internal organs had burst out of it. Now, that smell is gone – but there will be some health issues to be aware of when visiting short sand while the whale is there.

Crews from the Seaside Aquarium and the Marine Mammal Stranding Network's Portland State University office tried to do a necropsy on the dead whale Thursday, but with the internal organs gone – and the fact the whale has been dead too long – finding the actual cause of death is impossible.

Tiffany Boothe from the aquarium was one of those on scene Thursday.

“We didn't really discover anything,” Boothe said. “With the organs gone there was no way to do a necropsy.”

She said from what inspections they could do it seemed like a healthy whale, and yet there were no signs of trauma. Boothe said the crew did a long crosscut along the corpse and found no signs of hemorrhaging.

When it initially stranded last week, it was discovered the tail was missing. But Seaside Aquarium crews strongly believe that happened postmortem, and that it was a boat that had severed the tail when passing the carcass as it floated along.

Boothe said blubber will go for testing for heavy metals.

Keith Chandler, aquarium manager, said the intense smell came from the organs that spilled out of the carcass when it first landed on Falcon Cove Beach – about two miles north of short sand. At that first stranding, Chandler said he could literally smell it one mile away.

Now, the whale will serve as a teaching moment. Chandler said it will likely remain on this beach for a long time, as short sand is not as steep or as dynamic in tidal action as Falcon Cove Beach. A good storm or high tide could whisk it away again, however.

OPRD staff will tell the public about how the whale will continue to feed nutrients into the ocean, feeding the crabs, fish and other creatures and plants.

“This is all a part of nature,” Chandler said. “It's all part of the normal natural cycle.”

Still, Chandler warned you should definitely stay away from the creature's remains, as contact by you or your pets could mean contracting disease.

“Keep animals off any dead creature on the beach,” Chandler said. “Always keep a leash on them when you're around a dead thing like this. And yeah: don't touch it. It's really tempting, but don't.”

short sand is a hugely popular surfing hotspot on the north Oregon coast as well, and Chandler said you should stay out of water that is near the dead whale. That goes for swimmers and surfers, he said.

“Use common sense,” he said. “Don't swim in areas around the whale.”

Manzanita Hotels for this - Where to eat - Map and Virtual Tour

More of the whale photos from this week, courtesy Seaside Aquarium

Below: Short Sand Beach

 

More About Manzanita, Rockaway, Wheeler Lodging.....

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

 

Two Vacation Home Openings This Time of Year on Oregon Coast? Yes, Even in Pa...
Rare openings this week, later in August and some booking tips. Pacific City hotel reviews, vacation rentals

Sweeping Designs, Sights of N. Oregon Coast's Arch Cape, Away At Last Rental
A mere 200 steps from the beach, near Cannon Beach. hotel reviews, lodging

Three Capes Lodging Reviews, North Oregon Coast
Find the ultiamte views. Three Capes Lodging, Oceanside hotel reviews, vacation rentals, Tillamook Coast Hotel Reviews

New Expansive Vacation Home on Oregon Coast Soars to Where Neskowin Meets the...
5 bedrooms, 600 ft of deck and a sauna so fire. Pacific City hotel reviews, hotel news, Neskowin hotels, vacation rentals, Lincoln City hotel reviews, Rockaway Beach hotel reviews

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

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

Washington Coast / Oregon Coast Articles (stories are random: hit reload to see different articles)

N. Oregon Coast: Oceanside Videos and Reels
8 Jun 2026 at 12:09am
Oceanside's tunnel, history, vibes, even weird stuff and odd sounds. Travel tips

Oregon Coast Authorities Offer Tips on Safe Vehicle Travel with Your Pet
8 Jun 2026 at 12:09am
Lincoln County Sheriffs urge take these extra precautions. Traffic

Video: Dramatic Rescue 500 Miles Off Oregon Coast Included Cruise Ship, California Crew
30 May 2026 at 7:01am
A disabled vessel was located 489 miles off the coast of Tillamook, Oregon. Coast Guard rescue, Oceanside, Pacific City, Garibaldi

Woman Dies After 40-Ft Fall at Oregon Coast Attraction
4 Jun 2026 at 8:29am
Someone wandered beyond the fences at Devil's Punchbowl. Rescue, US Coast Guard, Depoe Bay, Newport, Lincoln City, weather

South Oregon Coast's Beloved Charleston Seafood Festival Back, June 27
19 Jun 2026 at 9:06am
More food, more activities - and it's back to the Coos Bay area. Coos Bay events

Shop at the Dock and Discover Oregon Seafood Return to the Coast for Summer
27 May 2026 at 9:15pm
Back to Newport, Garibaldi events, Port Orford events, Winchester Bay events, Brookings events, Newport events, Pacific City events

Video: Woman Rescued from Fall Near Oregon Coast's God's Thumb Area
26 May 2026 at 9:38am
Second time in 2026 at Lincoln City spot, third time in a year. Safety, Coast Guard

South Oregon Coast's BBQ, Blues, Brews and Bourbon Fest Hits Coos Bay Area Soon
South coast's biggest Memorial Day traditions May 23 - 24. Coos Bay events, North Bend events. Food, dining, restaurants

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