Source: Oregon Live
Two adult gray whales were found dead along the Washington coast near Ocean Shores, shortly after a juvenile whale was spotted far inland, highlighting ongoing concerns about the species’ health. Researchers determined both whales were severely malnourished, with one also showing injuries consistent with a ship strike.
These deaths reflect a broader crisis for gray whales, which have experienced unusually high mortality rates since 2019. Population numbers have dropped to about 13,000—less than half of what they were a decade ago—and calf production remains low. Scientists link the decline primarily to reduced food availability in Arctic feeding grounds, leaving whales in poor condition during migration. The current migration season is already off to a troubling start, with multiple deaths reported. Weak, starving whales are more likely to stray off course, increasing risks such as ship strikes and further mortality, underscoring the population’s ongoing struggle.