Research team completes necropsy of humpback whale that stranded near Nehalem Bay State Park; Probable cause of death: collision with a ship

A team of researchers carried out an autopsy Thursday May 30 on a juvenile humpback whale that stranded at Nehalem Bay State Park earlier in the week (See video and links to stories below.) The necropsy revealed significant hemorrhaging along the right front and sides of the whale, suggesting it was struck by a ship. The team also collected tissue samples for further analysis.

Residents first reported the 34-foot male humpback whale floating off the Oregon coast. Sunday May 26. The carcass drifted ashore a few miles south of Manzanita. A small team first examined and took samples from the carcass Monday May 27. A larger team returned THURSDAY for a complete autopsy. The team noted bleeding, bruising and swelling on the right side of the whale's head and sides. Injuries suggest blunt impact such as a ship strike. Vessel strikes are one of the most common causes of death for stranded humpback whales on the West Coast, according to NOAA Fisheries. most recent stock assessment. The stock assessment estimated the summer population of humpback whales off Oregon, Washington and California to be at least about 5,000 animals and growing.

Portland State University responds to whale strandings on the northern Oregon coast on behalf of the West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network and conducted the autopsy. NOAA Fisheries and PSU thank Oregon State Parks, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Cascadia Research Collective, and Seaside Aquarium for their assistance in the autopsy. Oregon State Parks is urging the public not to visit the whale's remains, which are no longer intact, to avoid further disturbing endangered western snowy plovers that nest nearby. Anyone entering the area must respect the restrictions in place and stay only on wet, hard sand. Dogs and bicycles are prohibited.

To report a dead, injured or stranded marine mammal along the West Coast, please call the West Coast Region Stranding Hotline: 1-866-767-6114. Please do not disturb stranded animals so that responders can assess injuries and/or cause of death.

Where is the whale? Watch the Northern Oregon Coast whale float near Rockaway Beach; Whale stranded north of Nehalem Pier on May 26

UPDATE: Young male humpback, 34 feet long; Video shows a humpback whale stranding on Manzanita Beach near the north jetty of Nehalem Bay on May 26.