Overview
- A humpback whale came ashore alive Saturday night near San Marine south of Yachats, appearing entangled in crabbing gear.
- NOAA Fisheries, the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network and Oregon State Police are on scene to assess, and Oregon State Parks warned onlookers to keep their distance.
- Volunteers gathered overnight with buckets, blankets and tools, with witnesses reporting cut lines and trenches dug as people tried to keep the whale wet.
- Marine biologists said beached whales risk organ compression and overheating and cautioned that the animal’s survival chances are low, though a high tide could help refloat it.
- Officials asked people to avoid the area and report strandings to the NOAA West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline or to Oregon State Police.