Gray whale

Federal officials have not responded to the October deadline for the tribe’s permit for a traditional subsistence hunt of eastern North Pacific gray whales.

Federal officials have released a new population estimate for eastern North Pacific gray whales. It’s about 13,000 — the lowest number since the 1970s.

After an official Unusual Mortality Event was declared over, scientists expected the population to rebound. Instead, they're seeing high numbers of strandings.

Stranding of grey whales along the west coast this year include 13 in Washington state alone, more than twice the normal average according to scientists.

Gray whales are often seen migrating along the Washington coast. But there’s just one place in the world where people can go to try and touch them.

The Makah Tribe has formally requested permission to resume its traditional whale hunt this July. A permit application is out for public comment.

After an extended — and unprecedented process — NOAA Fisheries has granted the Makah tribe’s request for a waiver under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. The tribe hopes to exercise their treaty right to whaling next spring.

According to NOAA, an ‘unusual mortality event' that was killing off gray whales on the west coast has ended. But climate change is adding uncertainty to their conclusions.

The "Sounders" returned to the Puget Sound region during their annual migration. However, the whales' early arrival could signal widespread hunger and starvation.

Another key deadline has nearly passed in the Makah Tribe’s request to resume its hunt for gray whales, by getting a waiver under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Here are the latest developments.