A team examined the whale Sunday morning after being found on Saturday.
OCEAN SHORES, Wash. — A gray whale found near Ocean Shores has added to a growing number of deaths across Washington this year, as researchers point to an ongoing pattern affecting the species.
A team examined the whale this morning, identifying it as a 12.3-meter adult male, according to John Calambokidis research biologist with the Cascadia Research Collective.
Researchers found the animal was malnourished, though not as severely underweight as some others documented in recent months. The exact cause of death remains unknown, but scientists say the case aligns with a broader trend seen so far this year.
With this latest death, the number of gray whale mortalities in Washington has risen to 12.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Seven dead gray whales signal trouble in Washington waters
The update comes less than two weeks after scientists raised concerns about an unusually early and increasing number of gray whale deaths statewide. At the time, researchers had counted seven deaths, already exceeding what is typically seen so early in the season.
Gray whale strandings in Washington are most common later in the spring, but in 2026, the timeline appears to be accelerated. Last year, 18 gray whales were found dead, though only one had been recorded this early in the year.
The deaths have occurred in a range of locations, including coastal beaches and inland waterways, highlighting unusual behavior in some cases. One whale traveled more than 20 miles up the Willapa River before dying, while others were found along Copalis Beach and near Anacortes.
Scientists are continuing to monitor the situation as the number of deaths climbs, noting that this year’s cases appear consistent with a larger pattern impacting gray whales across the region.
KING 5’s Bridget Chavez contributed to this report
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