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4mo ago

Gray Whale Carcass Secured on Tofino’s Long Beach as Multi-Agency Investigation Begins

Authorities and Indigenous partners are coordinating response efforts while awaiting necropsy results to determine the cause of death.

The grey whale washed up on Long Beach on western Vancouver Island on May 7, 2025.
Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Parks Guardians Gisele Maria Martin and Nate Currie watch over a deceased juvenile gray whale or maa?ak on May 7 at Long Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Overview

  • A gray whale carcass washed ashore on Long Beach, Tofino, on May 7, 2025, after being spotted floating nearby on May 6.
  • Parks Canada has issued public safety advisories, urging visitors to avoid the carcass, leash pets, and maintain a safe distance.
  • A necropsy to determine the cause of death is pending, with results expected within two to three months, according to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO).
  • The DFO, Parks Canada, and Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation are collaborating on next steps to manage the situation and ensure public safety.
  • Gray whales, including the endangered Pacific Coast Feeding Group, face ongoing conservation challenges, with population estimates as low as 243 individuals.