Juvenile Gray Whale ‘Willapa Willy’ Dies After Swimming 20 Miles Up Willapa River

A young gray whale that captivated residents of southwest Washington after swimming deep inland has died. The juvenile whale, affectionately dubbed “Willapa Willy,” traveled approximately 20 miles up the Willapa River in Pacific County before its unusual journey came to a tragic finish.

The Arrival of ‘Willapa Willy’

The whale was first spotted on April 1—April Fool’s Day—in the north fork of the Willapa River. While the Cascadia Research Collection (CRC) noted that the animal appeared thin, it was initially behaving normally and showed no obvious signs of injury.

The sighting shocked local residents, as the whale managed to wind its way 20 miles inland, far from the open waters of the Pacific coast. Its presence drew widespread attention and concern from the community and marine wildlife experts alike.

Rescue Efforts and Monitoring

On April 2, the CRC conducted a site visit to the river but was unable to move the whale back toward the ocean. In coordination with partners at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), officials decided to give the whale time and space to exit the river on its own, while maintaining plans for intervention if necessary.

By Friday, April 3, an extensive on-water search was conducted by the CRC and WDFW, supported by members of the Shoalwater Bay and Chinook Tribes. Although the whale was not seen during that specific Friday search, researchers remained hopeful that it had successfully navigated back to Willapa Bay.

A Tragic Conclusion

The hope for a natural return to the ocean was short-lived. The whale was spotted again on Saturday, April 4. Later that evening, the CRC released a 5 p.m. Update confirming that the juvenile gray whale had died. Researchers are currently working with local partners to evaluate the safety of the location to perform a formal examination of the animal.

Authorities have asked the public to stay away from the whale’s location in the river to allow professionals to manage the situation safely.

Other Whale Sightings in the Region

The death of Willapa Willy coincided with other concerning findings along the coast. On the morning of Friday, April 3, two other dead gray whales were discovered on the beach south of the Taurus entrance in Ocean Shores.

Key Takeaways: The Willapa Willy Incident

• First Sighting: April 1, 2026, in the north fork of the Willapa River.
• Distance Traveled: Approximately 20 miles inland.
• Outcome: Declared deceased on the evening of April 4, 2026.
• Organizations Involved: Cascadia Research Collection (CRC), NOAA, WDFW, and the Chinook and Shoalwater Bay Tribes.
• Additional Findings: Two other dead gray whales were found at Ocean Shores on April 3.

Marine biologists and local agencies continue to monitor the coastline and river systems to understand the factors that led to these sightings and deaths.