Gray whale, seen 20 miles inland, dies in WA’s Willapa River
The Seattle Times • • nation
Key Points:
- A young gray whale traveled 20 miles inland into the North Fork of the Willapa River in Southwest Washington, gaining viral attention and the nickname "Willapa Willy."
- Despite appearing thin, the whale initially showed normal behavior with no visible injuries, prompting monitoring by the Cascadia Research Collective and local wildlife authorities.
- The whale was found dead in the river on Saturday after search efforts failed, marking the third gray whale death along the Western Washington coast in recent days.
- Prolonged freshwater exposure is harmful to whales, which typically inhabit the North Pacific Ocean, making such river entries rare and dangerous.
- The Chinook Tribe plans a private ceremony for the whale, and officials are coordinating with federal agencies to obtain permits for its harvest following tribal traditions.
