‘An honor and such a blessing’: People come together to mourn and learn from beached whale in Oregon

When a humpback whale beached itself on the Oregon Coast earlier this month, thousands of people followed along through the attempt to save it — and mourned the animal when the rescue effort ultimately failed.

But as the whale was euthanized, and in the days that followed, its death also brought together local residents, scientists and tribal members who say they’re drawing lessons — and hope — from the loss.

Jim Rice, program manager of the Oregon Marine Mammal Stranding Network, choreographed a somber dance as veterinary students worked alongside state park staff and tribal members to conduct a necropsy and disassemble the whale.

Living whales almost never wash up on the Oregon Coast, Rice said. He could only think of one other time in the past 20 years. And when deceased whales wash