Run of Unusual Animal Deaths on Washington Coast: Whale Swims Up River, Skinned Canines

Published 04/05/26 at 6:55 a.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Raymond, Washington) – Parts of the Washington coast have dealt with a variety of animal deaths this week, sometimes in unusual and startling ways, though the cases are unrelated to each other. (Photos Cascadia Research Collective)

Near Anacortes, authorities are investigating a series of gruesome wild canine deaths that some have described as being like a “serial killer” or a horror movie. Two dead gray whales washed up in the Ocean Shores area, while another gray became famous briefly for swimming up a river – but suddenly died this weekend.

Earlier this week, a mysterious gray whale made an impression on locals and visitors by swimming about 20 miles up the Willapa River. First sighted on April 1, according to Cascadia Research Collective the whale abruptly died Saturday.

At first, the prevailing mood was of astonishment – but caution.

“This whale, although thin, was behaving normally and does not appear to have any injuries,” the Cascadia group said this week. “We are giving the whale time and space to leave the river on its own, but plans are being made with our partners at NOAA and WDFW if intervention is needed in the coming days. “

The whale was first reported late last Wednesday morning, after entering the river through Willapa Bay near Bruceport and heading east past South Bend and Raymond. It continued beneath the U.S. 101 bridge and into a narrower, winding stretch through farm fields before eventually reaching the Camp 1 Road Bridge. In all, the juvenile whale traveled about 20 miles upriver from the ocean. It made it about 12 miles east of the river entrance and 20 miles from the ocean shore.

The sight shocked people as well as filling them with wonder, with some saying this was the first time they'd seen a whale.

By Friday it had disappeared, and experts took this as a good sign that it had wandered out to sea again.

About 5 p.m. on Saturday, the news came.

“We are saddened to confirm that the whale seen in the Willapa River over the past few days is deceased,” Cascadia said. “We are working with local partners to evaluate the safety of the location to conduct an examination. We ask the public to please stay away from the whale.”

Ocean Shores Strandings

Ocean Shores was the site of extra activity after two deceased gray whales washed up on April 2, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW). The agency confirmed it was aware of the strandings but did not release additional details.

By Saturday, photos circulating on social media indicated that necropsies were underway. See photos of the whales

Jessie Huggins, a research biologist with the Cascadia Research Collective, told regional media that one of the whales had appeared thin but was otherwise behaving normally before it died and did not appear to be injured.

The stranding echoed another emaciated gray whale that washed up in recent weeks on the central Oregon coast, at Florence. Deceased Whale on Oregon Coast: Scientists May Already Have Clue in Cause of Death By Its Look - Gray whale in Florence may be connected to 'skinny whales' issue of decade

'Horror Movie' Scene North Washington

Authorities in coastal Skagit County are investigating more than 21 dead canines that have washed ashore since last Thursday, some of them skinned, missing front paws, or found with twine tied around their necks.

The first report came on March 26, when beachgoers called 911 after spotting six carcasses floating near Guemes Island, just north of Anacortes. Island Fire Chief Olivia Cole said as many as 14 additional animals have been found in nearby waters since then, including at least six more on Thursday.

The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office issued its first detailed statement on April 1, confirming six discoveries since March 26.

“On March 31, 2026, one additional deceased canine was discovered floating in the La Conner Channel. That animal was recovered by Animal Control Officer Diaz,” SCSO said. “The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Unit is actively investigating these incidents.”

By Saturday, the total number of recovered animals had climbed to at least 21.

Officials are referring to the animals as “canines,” a category that can include foxes, coyotes, and other wild species. Necropsies and DNA testing are underway, but – at least so far - the incidents do not appear to involve domestic dogs.

 

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