A 40-foot deceased sperm whale was found Saturday, Jan. 14, on a North Oregon Coast beach. A marine ecologist from OSU’s Marine Mammal Institute at Newport, estimated the whale to be at least seven-years old. Robert Pitman says the whale also appears to be emaciated. Sperm Whales reside in deep ocean waters. If one shows up in shallow waters, Pitman adds, “it’s an indication they are in trouble.” It is rare for a deceased Sperm Whale to wash ashore on the Oregon Coast. Normally, California Gray Whales are found. The whale was discovered just south of the remains of the Peter Iredale shipwreck near Fort Stevens Park west of Astoria.
