On April 6 Cascadia Research, with help from members of the Chinook and Shoalwater Bay Tribes, conducted a limited examination of the gray whale that was first reported swimming in the Willapa River on April 1. This examination confirmed the poor nutritional status of the whale and documented some internal injuries related to being wrapped around woody debris. It also measured larger than first estimated and is closer to adult sized. We were unable to determine the sex due to body position, but that will be determined through analysis of the genetic sample collected. It is not possible to remove it from the location, and it will remain at the site for natural decomposition. Bones will be collected for cultural use by the Chinook and Shoalwater Bay Tribes as the animal decomposes.
Given the poor body condition and lack of other injuries, we suspect this whale ended up traveling up the river because it was already in a very debilitated state, which is why it ended up where it was. It is challenging to redirect free-swimming baleen whales based on similar events in other locations. Our necropsy results support the decision to not take immediate aggressive actions which would have further stressed the whale and not changed the ultimate 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.