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Authorities Struggle to Save Stranded Humpback Whale on Oregon Coast
17 Nov
Summary
- Viral social media posts draw crowds to help stranded humpback whale
- Whale tangled in crab pot lines, officials say survival chances are slim
- Volunteers work to keep whale wet, but euthanasia may be necessary
On November 15, 2025, a stranded humpback whale on the Oregon Coast has sparked a desperate rescue effort after viral social media posts drew large crowds to the area. The whale, estimated to be a yearling that had likely been separated from its mother, was found tangled in lines from a crab pot near Yachats, Lincoln County.
Despite the efforts of volunteers who worked through the night to keep the whale wet, officials have indicated that the whale's chances of survival are extremely slim. "In truth, once a whale comes to shore, there's a super, super slim, almost no chance that it's going to survive," Lisa Ballance, interim director of Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute, told the Lincoln Chronicle.
As the situation unfolded, Oregon State Police and other officials were forced to ask people to avoid the area and clear vehicles from U.S. Highway 101, as the large crowds were hindering the rescue efforts. While many had hoped that the high tide would help the whale swim back out to sea, the animal appeared to roll further inland toward the beach.
By the evening of November 16, authorities stated that "euthanasia was one option" being considered, as the whale's condition continued to deteriorate. The decision to euthanize the animal would not be made lightly, as officials recognized the importance of "whale fall" as an integral part of the ocean's ecosystem.
