![](https://roguevalleymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Whale_carcass_sand_lake.jpg)
A 40-foot Gray whale carcass that washed up Saturday at Sand Lake Recreation Area was buried in the sand yesterday by beach rangers from Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) and a local contractor.
Kirk Barham, park manager at Cape Lookout State Park, said the carcass’ rotten condition indicated the whale was deceased before it arrived on the beach.
![](https://roguevalleymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Whale_burial_Sand_Lake_2.jpg)
Sand Lake Recreation Area, a popular beach spot about 15 miles southwest of Tillamook, is operated by the U.S. Forest Service. The area is closed to visitors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
![](https://roguevalleymagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Whale_burial_Sand_Lake_3.jpg)
Members of the NOAA West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network were on the scene before the burial to take tissue samples from the whale.