Seaside Aquarium said the whale had been “dead for quite some time” before washing ashore.
SEASIDE, Ore. — A 46-foot-long fin whale washed ashore dead on an Oregon coast beach Saturday morning, Seaside Aquarium said. The whale was found north of Sunset Beach near Warrenton.
The aquarium said the whale had been “dead for quite some time” before washing ashore. A necropsy is expected to be conducted next week to determine the cause of death.
“While we encourage people to go check out this amazing creature, it is important to remember to look- but do not touch,” the aquarium said. “Any whale, dolphin, porpoise, or pinniped can spread potential diseases to humans and pets.”
Fin whales can grow up to 85 feet long and weigh as much as 80 tons. The only whale species larger than the fin whale is the blue whale.
This marks the second fin whale to wash up on an Oregon beach since February 2024. Fin whales typically live off the Oregon coast for most of the year in deep, offshore waters, making strandings relatively uncommon.