More Odd Washington Coast Whale News: Another Seen Inland, Some Necropsy Results

Published 04/07/26 at 8:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Raymond, Washington) – There is more whale news coming out of the Washington coast, and again some of it is a little weird as yet another gray whale wanders inland. (Photos CRC and Skagit County Sheriffs)

Cascadia Research Collective (CRC) said it conducted a limited examination of the gray whale found in the Willapa River on April 6, assisted by members of the Chinook Indian Nation and the Shoalwater Bay Tribe. The assessment confirmed the whale was in poor nutritional condition and showed internal injuries consistent with being wrapped around woody debris. Researchers also determined the animal was larger than initially estimated and closer to adult size. Its gender could not be identified due to its position, but that information will be determined through genetic analysis.

Because of the whale’s location, removal is not possible, CRC said. It will remain in place to decompose naturally, and bones will be collected for cultural use by the Chinook and Shoalwater Bay Tribes as the process continues.

Photo CRC

CRC said the whale’s debilitated state likely explains why it traveled so far upriver. Similar events elsewhere have shown that redirecting free-swimming baleen whales is extremely difficult and more often than not, tragic. The necropsy findings, the organization said, support the decision not to attempt aggressive intervention, which would have added stress without altering the outcome.

“This was an unusual event and we would like to thank the local community, the Tribes, WDFW, and Pacific County Emergency Management for their assistance and support,” the organization said.

They've also been dealing with the two deceased whales on the central coast.

“On April 4, biologists from CRC, WDFW, and SR³ - Sealife Response, Rehabilitation & Research examined the two dead gray whales that washed ashore in Ocean Shores on April 3,” said CRC. “These 42 ft adults, one male and one female, were both malnourished. The male also had significant trauma to the head, consistent with ship strike. The female was not lactating and would not have been nursing a calf.”

Photo Skagit County Sheriffs

Now, another gray whale popped up in an inbound waterway – and hopefully it's not something problematic again.

According to the Skagit County Sheriff's Office, on Tuesday morning, a new gray whale drew attention after being spotted moving through the Swinomish Channel on the inner Washington coast. While uncommon, it is not unprecedented; a similar sighting occurred in May 2020. Gray whales occasionally enter Puget Sound waters while feeding, but seeing one in the narrow channel is considered a "rare treat," the Sheriff's office said, especially during tulip season.

Photo Skagit County Sheriffs

“If you happen to spot the whale, please remember to keep a safe distance and allow it plenty of space for it to travel naturally,” the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office said.

There was another malnourished whale incident on the south central Oregon coast in recent weeks.

More photos below

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