Oregon Coast Whale: What the Tide Brings, it Takes Away... And Brings Back Again

When Stephanie Gooch, who lives near Oswald State Park on the Oregon Coast, woke up on Saturday morning, there was a dead humpback whale on the beach. By Monday morning it was gone.

And on Tuesday it was back.

The whale, which Gooch said had probably been too small to be an adult, was probably returned to the ocean the same way it had been brought ashore — by the tide. High tide probably brought it in, and high tide probably brought it out. And brought it back.

Officials say that the expected tides over the next few days are not expected to be high enough to take it back out.

State Park staff will be on the beach near the whale at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday to present interpretive talks.

Scientists were originally disappointed the tide had taken the whale, leaving behind only a kidney — one very large (about 35 pounds) kidney. Now that it's back, researchers, who have the necessary permits, will be able to study the 38-foot whale as it is left to decay over the next few weeks.

Scavengers and microorganisms will consume and recycle the tissue over the course of several weeks.

Visitors are encouraged to come see the humpback but are not allowed to take any pieces and are discouraged from touching it. When visiting, keep pets away from the corpse, and keep an eye on the ocean for safety's sake.

Humpbacks frequent Oregon's northern coast in late summer and early fall.

First six photos courtesy Stephanie Gooch; Second three courtesy Oregon Parks and Recreation Department.