41-foot gray whale washes ashore in Washington state

FOX ISLAND, Wash. (KOMO) — A 41-foot gray whale washed ashore in Washington state on Saturday.

According to Jennifer Becar, the communications manager of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the 12.5-meter adult male gray whale was found on the shore on Fox Island, about 5 miles from Gig Harbor. Cascadia Research and the WDFW conducted an external exam and took minimal samples on Sunday, Becar said via email.

The whale was relocated to McNeil Island on Tuesday.

"The whale has been matched to an emaciated individual that had been seen swimming in several locations in southern Puget Sound for the past few weeks, last confirmed alive in Mayo Cove on March 27," Becar said.

Becar added that a "more thorough exam and necropsy" will be conducted later this week.