Story perspectives

Gray Whale Washes Ashore, 19th Oregon Stranding Amid Warming-Water Malnutrition

6/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

A 41-foot male gray whale washed ashore in Gearhart, Oregon after months dead.
Oregon logged its 19th gray whale stranding in 2026 while Cascadia Research recorded 30 Washington strandings this year.
More than half of the deaths are linked to malnutrition, which Chandler says warmer water reduces plankton.
The whale’s decay prevents a necropsy.
The public can report strandings to the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network Hotline at 1-866-767-6114.

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Story summary

A 41-foot male gray whale washed ashore in Gearhart, Oregon after months dead.
Oregon logged its 19th gray whale stranding in 2026 while Cascadia Research recorded 30 Washington strandings this year.
More than half of the deaths are linked to malnutrition, which Chandler says warmer water reduces plankton.
The whale’s decay prevents a necropsy.
The public can report strandings to the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network Hotline at 1-866-767-6114.