Grey whale washes ashore near Tofino, B.C. Cause of death unknown

TOFINO — A grey whale among a population that is listed as a special concern in Canada has washed ashore on a Vancouver Island beach.

Parks Canada says the whale was spotted floating offshore on May 6, then it landed the next day on Long Beach in Pacific Rim National Park Reserve near Tofino.

The federal agency is warning visitors to the popular beach not to touch the whale and to keep dogs on a leash.

The Fisheries Department says in a statement its marine mammal response team is working with Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation and Parks Canada to secure the animal and perform a necropsy.

It says the cause of death won’t be confirmed until after the necropsy reports are complete, which usually takes two to three months.

The department says the whale is part of the Eastern North Pacific population, which was assessed in 2005 as being of special concern under the federal Species at Risk Act.

Parks Canada says in a statement that its staff and Tla-o-qui-aht Tribal Park guardians were on scene as the whale came ashore.

It says access to the animal has been restricted both for health and safety reasons, and out of respect for the whale.

“The Tla-o-qui-aht First Nation continues to steward the lands and waters within their hahuuli (traditional lands and waters) and will be determining how to respectfully steward the carcass,” the statement says.

Parks Canada says that although the loss of a whale can be difficult to observe, it also provides important nutrients to other animals and the environment.

A sperm whale came ashore on a South Carolina resort island on Saturday, and was euthanized late Sunday after veterinarians determined it was too sick to help.

The town of Hilton Head Island in South Carolina says the whale will be buried on the beach.

Whales often beach themselves when sick or injured, and the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida estimates about 2,000 whales come ashore each year.

— With files from The Associated Press

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May, 8, 2025.