Ailing gray whale in Puget Sound fends off attack

A sickly gray whale is proving to be one tough customer — apparently surviving three beachings in the past week and now an attack by two killer whales.

The gray whale, which experts say is emaciated and crawling with sea lice, was rammed by two orcas Monday afternoon, according to a Tulalip resident who lives on a bluff facing the water. Maureen McGannon told The Herald she saw the gray whale move into shallow water to get away.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spokesman Brian Gorman said it is very unusual for a whale to beach multiple times. He said that when whales beach, they're typically ill and die once the tide recedes.

"To have it happen three times is remarkable," he said. "I think this is one tough whale. But, eventually, its outlook is pretty bleak."

Gorman said it's part of the natural process for ailing whales to be attacked by orcas and that NOAA would not try to interfere. He said the orcas are probably summer transients that feed on seals, sea lions and whale calves. Resident orcas are a different category, Gorman added, and typically feed on salmon.

Times staff