Gray Whale Found Dead After Swimming 20 Miles Up Washington River

Researchers suspect hunger may have driven the juvenile whale to new hunting grounds as the species' population declines.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 5:27am

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A juvenile gray whale that amazed Washington state residents after it swam 20 miles up the Willapa River was found dead. An official with a marine mammal research group suspects hunger may have driven the whale to new hunting grounds as the species' population declines.

Why it matters

Gray whales in the eastern Pacific have faced a major crisis since 2019 due to reduced food availability in their Arctic feeding grounds. This incident highlights the challenges the species is facing and the lengths they may go to in search of food.

The details

The whale was discovered Saturday near Raymond, Washington, in the Willapa River, which feeds into the ocean at Willapa Bay. Researchers believe the whale entered the river on Wednesday in search of new feeding areas as the gray whale population has declined in recent years. While the whale appeared thin, it was behaving normally and didn't seem injured when first spotted.

  • The whale entered the Willapa River on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.
  • The whale was found dead on Saturday, April 5, 2026.

The players

John Calambokidis

A research biologist with the Cascadia Research Collective who studies gray whales.

NOAA Fisheries

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's fisheries agency, which declared an unusual mortality event for eastern gray whales from 2018 to 2023.

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What they’re saying

“Gray whales are facing a major crisis and the heart of it does seem to be feeding on their prey in the Arctic.”

— John Calambokidis, Research Biologist, Cascadia Research Collective

“When that happens, you often see gray whales in a more desperate search for new areas to feed.”

— John Calambokidis, Research Biologist, Cascadia Research Collective

What’s next

Researchers will attempt to examine the whale, possibly as soon as Monday, to determine the cause of death.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges facing the gray whale population in the eastern Pacific, as they struggle to find adequate food sources in their traditional feeding grounds. It underscores the need for continued research and conservation efforts to protect this iconic marine species.