Chopper 7 flew over Everett, where the 13th gray whale that has washed up on Washington shores this year.
Like the nearly extinct southern resident orcas, starvation a lack of food like salmon is thought to be the primary reason for their struggle.
Now a new United Nations report is warning us that 1 million animal and plant species are at risk of extinction. Plant and animal life is down 20 percent in a century. And that the fate of humans is entertwined with theirs.
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Robb Krehbiel is with Defenders of Wildlife Northwest. We met at Seattle's Seward Park.
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"The more that we can do to recognize the role and benefits that other species provide to us and the more room that we make for them, the more likely it is that we will survive and thrive into the future," Krehbiel said.
The UN report says more than 40 percent of all amphibian species are threatened, including more than a third of all marine mammals and nearly a third of all reef forming coral.
"In some estimates... over 70 percent of insects have disappeared from the country and that's really alarming," Krehbiel said.
Seward Park is an oasis of natural beauty and wildlife. But some who come to enjoy it have also seen a change.
"I didn't even see a squirrel over there and the whole walk was an hour and I just saw one bird. Which was really weird," said Nika Thompson.
Tree activist Julie Ratner sees lots of wildlife, but also notices what's missing.
"I mention the sword fern die-off and how we've lost 11 acres of sword ferns which are essential to the health of the forest floor," Ratner said.
Krehbiel said people worldwide will have to change if the planet and humans are to survive.
"All the other animals, all the other plants we share the landscape with are playing a role and playing a part in our well-being and our livelihood," Krehbiel said.