SeaLife Response, Rehabilitation, and Research (SR3) – a Des Moines-based marine animal rescue organization – responded to a stranded humpback whale off the Oregon coast this week after the animal became entangled in Dungeness crab gear.

SR3’s Executive Director Casey McLean, who also serves as part of the group’s veterinary team, said responders faced difficult conditions, including 15-foot swells, sneaker waves, and a 20,000-pound injured animal moving unpredictably.

“These situations are extremely dangerous for responders and profoundly stressful for the animals, and we approached every moment with caution, compassion, and respect,” McLean said.

McLean said the whale appeared to be in good body condition and did not show signs of chronic illness, suggesting the entanglement was recent. The stress from the incident likely contributed to the stranding.

SR3’s team used its custom whale-refloat pulley system, a unique piece of equipment designed to help reposition stranded whales safely as tides shift.

“We’ve used it successfully before, and it gave us options that otherwise wouldn’t have existed,” McLean said.

The rescue effort brought together veterinarians, response specialists, and partner organizations from across the West Coast. Despite hours of work over two days, the team determined the whale would not survive, and euthanasia was deemed the most humane outcome.

“These are the hardest decisions we ever face in the field,” McLean said. “But they are also the moments when an animal’s wellbeing must guide our actions most strongly.”

McLean said the case will provide critical data about whale entanglements in Oregon’s coastal waters. Researchers plan to analyze the recovered gear to better understand how these incidents occur and how they can be prevented.

SR3, headquartered in Des Moines, plays a lead role in regional marine animal response and rehabilitation efforts throughout the Pacific Northwest. The organization relies on community donations to fund emergency response and veterinary care for marine wildlife.