Juvenile Gray Whale Discovered Deceased in Willapa River Amid Population Concerns
A juvenile gray whale was discovered deceased on Saturday in the Willapa River near Raymond, Washington, after previously traveling approximately 20 miles upriver. This event occurs amidst ongoing concerns regarding the eastern Pacific gray whale population, which has experienced a significant decline attributed partly to reduced food availability in its northern feeding grounds.
The death of a juvenile whale in the Willapa River highlights broader challenges for the eastern Pacific gray whale population, currently facing a significant decline largely due to reduced food availability.
Incident Details: Discovery in Willapa River
The whale was found dead in the Willapa River, a waterway that connects to Willapa Bay, situated about 185 miles (298 kilometers) southwest of Seattle. The animal had entered the north fork of the river on Wednesday.
Residents who observed the whale before its death noted that it appeared thin but reportedly exhibited normal behavior and showed no visible injuries.
Researchers from the Cascadia Research Collective had been monitoring the whale. It moved further upriver into waters considered unnavigable, and researchers were unable to locate it on Friday before its discovery the following day.
An examination of the deceased whale is planned by researchers, potentially as early as Monday, to determine the cause of death.
Broader Population Context: Challenges for Eastern Pacific Gray Whales
The death of the juvenile whale coincides with a period of significant challenge for the eastern Pacific gray whale population.
John Calambokidis, a research biologist with the Cascadia Research Collective, indicated that hunger might have driven the whale to seek new feeding areas. He highlighted a significant issue for eastern Pacific gray whales since 2019, stemming from reduced food availability in the northern Bering and Chukchi seas off Alaska.
"Unusual Mortality Event" Declared
From late 2018 to late 2023, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries agency declared an "unusual mortality event" for eastern gray whales. During this five-year period, 690 strandings were recorded along the coast from Alaska to Mexico.
NOAA Fisheries investigators concluded that preliminary causes included localized ecosystem changes in the whales’ sub-Arctic and Arctic feeding areas, leading to alterations in food sources, malnutrition, decreased birth rates, and increased mortality.
Significant Population Decline
Despite earlier expectations of a population recovery, the most recent count conducted in 2025 estimated approximately 13,000 gray whales, representing the lowest count since the 1970s.
Calambokidis observed that many gray whales appear emaciated. The northbound migration, a journey of approximately 5,000 miles (8,000 kilometers) from Baja California, Mexico, to Alaska, is typically the most demanding period for the species. Whales rely heavily on nutritional reserves during this time, which can lead them to search for alternative feeding grounds.