Since Saturday evening, November 15th, many on the Oregon Coast and regionally, have been following the fate of a living beached humpback whale in Yachats, Oregon. Volunteers poured in from throughout the area, but multiple attempts during several high tides were unsuccessful in assisting the young humpback. After over 40 hours, marine biologists determined that the whale wasn’t able to make the swim to deeper water and made the decision to ease it’s struggling. The Juvenile Humpback Whale, who was beached for 45 hours in Yachats, Oregon, was humanely euthanized as of 3:00 PM Monday, November 17, 2025.
Photo: Carrie Newell
Earlier today November 17th, local expert Carrie Newell shared this update and more details about the whale:
(11/17/25 @ 9AM – Facebook post) from Carrie Newell, Marine Biologist w/Whale Research Eco Excursions: “The humpback is still living and we are all hoping and praying that at high tide today, around 10:00am, the whale has enough energy to propel itself offshore. Last night fluids and vitamins were given to give it extra energy. The experts measured the whale at 26 feet. At this size it is probably a one year old and weighs probably between 30,000 and 40,000 pounds. Humpbacks are born at 15 feet and 1500 lbs. The mother weans them between 24-27 feet. This whale is either still a calf being nursed by the mother or a recently weaned yearling. At sexual maturity the male is 35 feet and the female is 40 feet. In baleen whales females are about 5 feet longer then males. Adult size is reached at 10 years at 45-50 feet and 44 tons. We are not 100% sure yet of the sex. The way you can tell a female from a male is that females have a genital slit and 2 nipple slits, one on each side whereas a male only has a single genital slit. At one point the whale turned briefly on its side but from the video I could not sex it. The whole time I was on the beach, it was on its belly. Prayers for strength for this beautiful creature so it can get back to its ocean home. Love ya All Carrie”
From another Social Media post:
My name is Charles Nye; I’m a PhD candidate at Oregon State University. I volunteer with the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network (OMMSN). I provide this information for context. I know a thing or two about whales. In no way, shape, or form does the writing below represent OMMSN, OSU, or partnering organizations or persons. Any official writing from these bodies supersedes mine. These opinions and thoughts are my own as a private citizen. I was with the OMMSN-led effort to evaluate the humpback on Sunday and today, but I claim no authority.
I’ve read a lot of material from all of you regarding the then-live beached humpback in Yachats. I mean to offer some insights. There is no way I can address all questions or concerns—my service is unpaid, after all—but I’ve selected the following points to discuss.
1: Why didn’t the “team” arrive sooner?
OMMSN is comprised of one (1) full-time paid employee and a network of affiliates and volunteers. Typically, when a marine mammal strands on the Oregon Coast, it’s already dead or actively dying. This presents the perspective that OMMSN only does necropsies (dissections) because, by and large, that’s usually the M.O. We contacted partners from Washington State for assistance. It takes some time to access Yachats from Washington. OMMSN and our partners were largely on-site by 4pm on Sunday.
2: Why didn’t everyone arrive and start working on the whale ASAP through the evening hours? Didn’t you hear about it on Saturday night?
It’s simply unsafe to work at night on the coast. All locals know, the beaches during this time of year are dangerous; low light only exacerbates these problems. Given the possibility for unpredictable wave action and the danger of being in close proximity to a large animal being tossed in the surf, safety protocols took precedence. The first of OMMSN was able to arrive Sunday morning.
3: Why do the “experts” discourage the community effort?
I only put quotation marks around “experts” because that seems to be a trend here. Decades of experience and prestigious degrees apparently translate to only partial expertise. Snark aside (I think it’s only fair I get to bite back a little), an organization that asks members of the public to volunteer and do something potentially dangerous is an organization that does not last long.
In the same way that police cannot condone vigilante work, stranding networks cannot condone private citizens taking on unnecessary personal risk in interacting with wildlife. Am I making sense, here? It would be irresponsible to endorse working near the volatile Pacific Ocean at night.
This is irrespective of how I—as Charles and *not a representative of any group*—feel about any of those actions.
4: Where are the helicopters and heavy gear? Why can’t we pull the whale off the beach?
We do not have access to a helicopter capable of lifting a whale. OMMSN has one (1) truck capable of transporting a large seal, at best. Even if OMMSN did have access to a helicopter capable of lifting the animal, conditions on Saturday and Sunday were not favorable for such a maneuver.
Using heavy gear to move the whale is hypothetically possible, but this is mainly reserved for deceased animals. This could further injure or distress a live animal—and what happens if construction equipment gets stuck in the sand? What if a sneaker wave topples something full of diesel? If anyone has ideas as to how OMMSN could purchase, maintain, store, and move a hypothetical fleet of heavy machinery, I’m all ears.
Mind you, funds for biological science aren’t especially high at the moment.
Beyond this, moving the whale into deeper water does not guarantee its survival. See my next point.
5: Why did you euthanize the whale?
Refloating the whale, even with specialized pulley equipment, was not successful. The high tide arrived at 10am, but the whale could not take advantage of the surge to swim off. Additionally, there were high swells and whitecaps for at least an additional kilometer out to sea. Even a healthy marine mammal would struggle to escape.
Marine mammal refloat successes are extremely variable. There is a lack of research on short or even long-term effects of refloating, and much of the time, animals tend to re-strand due to fatigue. While there were visible signs of entanglement injury on the Yachats humpback, there is no way to be sure that there aren’t other complications. Other entangled whales can swim across vast distances before succumbing to infection or exhaustion. Remember: a healthy whale can swim well.
6: Why don’t you care?
I acknowledge this one is slightly charged, due in part of calls to find biologists “who care” to replace OMMSN. I am all for people trying to better our resource pool, but do understand that none of what happened was due to negligence or a lack of empathy. That could not be further from the truth.
I remember the first time I helped euthanize a marine mammal. It was a baby harbor porpoise that repeatedly beached itself in Lincoln City. I cried and sung to it as it passed away. Clutching such a small creature, feeling the warmth of its slowing breaths, losing its heartbeat—I’ve never forgotten. Euthanizing a wild animal, like our young humpback, is not an easy decision.
You’ll just have to trust me.
7: How can we better prepare and respond to events like this in the future?
This is the bit that I genuinely would like to connect with people about. Much of this has felt more like a defense than a conversation, but I’d like to figure out how to best communicate our struggles, deficiencies, and ways to collaborate as a community.
Lots of people came to do what they felt was best for a hurt and scared animal. I can only envision what we could do together with the right coordination and information available. OMMSN, OSU, and our partners could probably use more support; what that looks like and how that happens is above my pay grade. (Remember: I’m a volunteer and a student, not a head honcho.)
This is not a situation we see very often, and I think that shows from both the professional and public sides of this event. I can only hope that, after the dust settles, we can better converse about next steps. I can’t say I don’t appreciate the enthusiasm and care for our marine life; in fact, it’s rather nice knowing that this level of passion exists within most of us.
For those that this message falls upon deaf ears, call me whatever you want. I’ve heard worse. For those who want to talk and provide some introspection, let’s chat.
-CN
Edit/Addendum:
Hey folks! Great conversations in this thread. I had fun interacting with those who were receptive (and with those who weren’t). I’ve added some clarifying points below based on some really good and consistent questions:
• What will happen to the body?
Most of it will stay on or near the beach where the whale died. Others are responsible for burial or other aesthetic decisions, but OMMSN usually leaves carcasses for scavengers such as vultures, coyotes, and gulls.
• Will the body poison the environment?
No, the choice of euthanasia drug was made to specifically eliminate negative environmental impacts. The drug used is not a barbiturate and does not have pervasive toxic qualities.
• Who do we contact for more information?
The OMMSN webpage is here: https://mmi.oregonstate.edu/ommsn
• How did you get so handsome?
There are some mysteries even science can’t solve.
Thank you for your interest and consideration.