Juvenile Gray Whale Found Dead After Entering Willapa River in Washington State

A juvenile gray whale was discovered dead on Saturday near Raymond, Washington, in the Willapa River, which connects to Willapa Bay and the Pacific Ocean. The whale had entered the north fork of the river on Wednesday, traveling approximately 20 miles upstream from the bay, located about 185 miles southwest of Seattle.

Gray whales undertake a 5,000-mile migration each spring from birthing areas in Baja California, Mexico, to feeding grounds in Alaska. Several gray whales are present in Willapa Bay during this period. The incident occurs against the backdrop of challenges facing the eastern North Pacific gray whale population, including reduced food availability in the northern Bering and Chukchi seas off Alaska's coast since 2019.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries declared an unusual mortality event for eastern gray whales from late 2018 to late 2023. This event recorded 690 strandings from Alaska to Mexico. NOAA investigators determined the preliminary cause as localized ecosystem changes in the whales' sub-Arctic and Arctic feeding areas, resulting in altered food sources, malnutrition, decreased birth rates, and increased mortality.

Recent surveys indicate a decline in the population. The 2025 count estimated about 13,000 gray whales, the lowest since the 1970s, despite earlier signs of rebound. John Calambokidis, a research biologist with the Cascadia Research Collective, stated that many gray whales appear emaciated and thin.

" — John Calambokidis (The Associated Press) The migration northward represents the longest period without feeding for gray whales, relying on nutritional reserves. Calambokidis noted that this phase can lead whales to seek alternative feeding areas.

He indicated that hunger likely prompted this whale to enter the river, given the context of population pressures.

observed the whale from bridges along the river and shared photos and videos on social media showing it expelling air through its blowhole. The Cascadia Research Collective reported that the whale appeared thin but behaved normally without visible injuries.

The organization initially allowed the whale space to exit the river independently. By Friday, the whale had moved further upstream into shallow waters unnavigable by boat, complicating monitoring efforts. Researchers plan to examine the whale, potentially as early as Monday, to determine the cause of death.

The examination may provide insights into the health of individual whales and broader population trends. This event highlights ongoing monitoring needs for gray whales during migration. Affected parties include marine researchers, coastal communities in Washington, and federal agencies like NOAA.

Future assessments could inform conservation measures in response to Arctic ecosystem changes.