Young Gray Whale Found Dead After Swimming Inland in Washington
A young gray whale was discovered deceased after traveling approximately 20 miles (32.2 km) upstream in a river in Washington state, according to a local scientific research organization. The Cascadia Research Collective suggested hunger as a potential cause of the whale's unusual behavior.
"We are saddened to confirm that the whale seen in the Willapa River over the past few days is deceased," the Cascadia Research Collective stated in a Facebook update on Saturday.
The group also noted it was assessing the safety of the location to conduct a necropsy examination.
The juvenile whale, affectionately named "Willapa Willy" by local residents, was initially observed last Wednesday in the north fork of the Willapa River, situated about 145 miles southwest of Seattle, the marine mammal research organization reported.
The whale, "although thin, was behaving normally," the group said at the time, with no visible injuries.
Efforts by the research teams to allow the whale to navigate its way out of the river naturally were unsuccessful.
Context of Gray Whale Behavior and Migration
Gray whales undertake extensive spring migrations northward along the Pacific Coast to feed in the Arctic, depleting their nutritional reserves during the journey. John Calambokidis, a research biologist with the Cascadia Research Collective, explained to the Associated Press:
"When that happens, you often see gray whales in a more desperate search for new areas to feed. That's the most likely context for this whale."
Calambokidis further noted that gray whales in the eastern Pacific Ocean have experienced diminished food availability in the northern Bering and Chukchi seas off Alaska’s coast in recent years.
"Gray whales are facing a major crisis and the heart of it does seem to be feeding on their prey in the Arctic," he added.
Gray Whale Characteristics and Threats
Gray whales are a prominent species for whale watching and ecotourism along the west coast of North America. According to the National Marine Fisheries Service in the United States, these whales can grow to approximately 15 meters (49 feet) in length and weigh around 40,000 kilograms (90,000 pounds).
The species faces various threats during their extensive migration routes, including vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. Additionally, gray whales tend to travel alone, with long-term bonds between individuals considered rare.
Recent Mortality Events and Population Decline
Earlier in April, two adult gray whales were found dead in the nearby Ocean Shores area, the Cascadia Research Collective reported. The organization described the individuals as 42 feet long adults, one male and one female, both malnourished. The male whale also exhibited significant head trauma consistent with a ship strike.
"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 group added.
The most recent population estimate from winter 2025 indicates a continuing decline in the species’ numbers. NOAA Fisheries estimated the population at approximately 13,000 individuals, marking the lowest count since the 1970s.
