Gray whale spotted in Seattle’s Ballard locks

SEATTLE – Officials say a gray whale has been spotted in and around Ballard Locks in Seattle in the past couple weeks.

KOMO-TV obtained video and photos Wednesday as the whale swam and spouted water. The Whidbey Island-based Orca Network said the whale appears to be emaciated and likely wasn’t strong enough to make the entire annual migration north.

The network said the whale could have wandered into Puget Sound either looking for food or for a place to die.

NOAA spokesman Michael Milstein said there isn’t much NOAA can do, as they don’t typically intervene unless the whale becomes confined or entangled.

The network cautions boaters to be aware of the whale’s presence and give it plenty of room. The locks connect Puget Sound and the Lake Washington Ship Canal.