Trending Now - Dead Gray Whale Discovered After Journey up Washington River

WHO:

ABC News - John Calambokidis, a research biologist with the Cascadia Research Collective, stated that "hunger may have driven the whale to new hunting grounds as the species’ population declines."

AP News - John Calambokidis, a research biologist with the Cascadia Research Collective, stated that the larger issue facing gray whales is reduced food availability in the northern Bering and Chukchi seas off Alaska’s coast.

AP News - John Calambokidis, a research biologist with the Cascadia Research Collective.

ABC News - Marine mammal research group.

WHAT:

AP News - The whale has been dubbed "Willapa Willy" by experts.

AP News - The preliminary cause of the unusual mortality event was confirmed to be “localized ecosystem changes in the whales’ sub-Arctic and Arctic feeding areas that led to changes in food, malnutrition, decreased birth rates, and increased mortality,” according to NOAA Fisheries investigators.

ABC News - A number of gray whales are currently in Willapa Bay on their 5,000-mile (8,000-kilometer) spring migration from birthing grounds in Baja California, Mexico, to feeding grounds in Alaska.

AP News - The preliminary cause of the unusual mortality event was determined to be “localized ecosystem changes in the whales’ sub-Arctic and Arctic feeding areas that led to changes in food, malnutrition, decreased birth rates, and increased mortality.”

AP News - The whale was found behaving normally but appeared thin, according to the Cascadia Research Collective.

AP News - Residents gathered on bridges along the river to catch glimpses of the whale, which was expelling air through its blowhole.

AP News - When researchers attempted to locate the whale on Friday, it had moved further upriver into areas that were unnavigable by boat.

AP News - A juvenile gray whale was found dead after swimming 20 miles up the Willapa River in Washington state.

AP News - The whale was discovered on Saturday, April 2nd, 2026.

AP News - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries agency declared an unusual mortality event for eastern gray whales from late 2018 to late 2023, involving 690 gray whale strandings.

AP News - The most recent population count from 2025 estimated about 13,000 gray whales, the lowest count since the 1970s.

WHERE:

AP News - The whale was found near Raymond, Washington, in the Willapa River, which feeds into Willapa Bay.

AP News - The whale entered the north fork of the Willapa River via a bay about 185 miles (298 kilometers) southwest of Seattle.

WHEN:

AP News - The whale was discovered on Saturday, April 2nd, 2026, after entering the river on Wednesday, March 30th, 2026.

AP News - The whale entered the north fork of the Willapa River on Wednesday, March 30th, 2026.

AP News - The whale was discovered on Saturday, April 2nd, 2026.

AP News - The whale entered the river on Wednesday, March 30th, 2026.

AP News - The unusual mortality event was declared from late 2018 to late 2023.

WHY:

BBC News - Experts suggest that hunger is a likely reason for the whale's inland travel.

AP News - John Calambokidis stated, “When that happens, you often see gray whales in a more desperate search for new areas to feed. That’s the most likely context for this whale.”

AP News - John Calambokidis stated, “Gray whales are facing a major crisis and the heart of it does seem to be feeding on their prey in the Arctic.”

AP News - Calambokidis noted that many gray whales are appearing "very emaciated, very thin" during their migration.

AP News - John Calambokidis stated that hunger may have driven the whale to new hunting grounds due to reduced food availability in the northern Bering and Chukchi seas since 2019.

AP News - NOAA Fisheries concluded that localized ecosystem changes in the whales’ sub-Arctic and Arctic feeding areas led to changes in food, malnutrition, decreased birth rates, and increased mortality.

HOW:

AP News - Researchers plan to examine the whale, possibly as soon as Monday, April 4th, 2026.

AP News - Researchers will attempt to examine the whale, possibly as soon as Monday, April 4th, 2026.

AP News - The whale was behaving normally and did not appear to have any injuries, according to the Cascadia Research Collective.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 13:18 UTC)

A whale, now dubbed "Willapa Willy" by experts, was discovered on Saturday after entering a river on Monday. Research biologist John Calambokidis from the Cascadia Research Collective noted that hunger may have driven the whale to seek new hunting grounds as its species faces population declines. Experts believe that this search for food is a likely reason for the whale's unusual inland journey.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 11:13 UTC)

A gray whale was spotted entering the north fork of the Willapa River on Monday, as researchers highlight a concerning trend in the species' health. John Calambokidis, a research biologist with the Cascadia Research Collective, noted that reduced food availability in the northern Bering and Chukchi seas off Alaska's coast is a significant issue for gray whales. NOAA Fisheries investigators confirmed that localized ecosystem changes in these feeding areas have led to malnutrition, decreased birth rates, and increased mortality among the whales.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 09:17 UTC)

A number of gray whales are currently in Willapa Bay as they embark on their 5,000-mile spring migration from their birthing grounds in Baja California, Mexico, to their feeding grounds in Alaska. The preliminary cause of an unusual mortality event among these whales has been linked to localized ecosystem changes in their sub-Arctic and Arctic feeding areas, resulting in malnutrition, decreased birth rates, and increased mortality. John Calambokidis noted that when such changes occur, gray whales often find themselves in a desperate search for new feeding areas, which likely explains their presence in Willapa Bay.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 07:18 UTC)

Researchers have spotted a gray whale behaving normally but appearing thin as it moved upriver into areas inaccessible by boat, prompting residents to gather on bridges for a closer look. John Calambokidis from the Cascadia Research Collective highlighted that gray whales are facing significant challenges, particularly with their feeding habits in the Arctic, leading to many appearing emaciated during migration. Plans are in place to examine the whale, with researchers hoping to conduct the assessment as soon as Monday.

(UPDATED April 6, 2026 05:40 UTC)

A juvenile gray whale was found dead after swimming 20 miles up the Willapa River in Washington state, with the discovery made on Thursday. John Calambokidis, a research biologist with the Cascadia Research Collective, noted that hunger may have driven the whale to seek new hunting grounds due to reduced food availability in its usual feeding areas since 2019. Researchers plan to examine the whale, which was behaving normally and showed no visible injuries, possibly as soon as on Saturday.