On Friday, a humpback whale was seen breaching close to the Washington side of the Astoria bridge. According to Mammal Institute, at least four humpback whales were spotted in the Columbia River at the border line between Oregon and Washington.

So, this week, a number of reports have been there regarding whale sightings in the Columbia River. According to biologist Deborah Jacques, until now, humpbacks have never been spotted inland along the Columbia River. As per experts, shortage of food in natural habitat of the whales could be a reason.

According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration researcher biologist Jen Zamon, "The lack of upwelling, which brings nutrients and the cold water at the bottom of the surface, is sort of what fertilizes the ocean and garden if you will, and it makes the whole food chain explode". He told Oregon station KGW 8 News that the hotter ocean waters are driving the fish into the river.

Vince Patton at Oregon Public Broadcasting captured a video of humpback whales breaching anchovies in Columbia close to the Astoria Megler Bridge. A number of scientists think that this event could be a factor contributing to abnormal movement of the whales into the Columbia River, however, some scientists think that other important factors are also responsible for temporary displacement of the whales.

Professor Bruce Mate, director of Oregon State University's Marine Mammal Institute, said that El Nino conditions this year are responsible for the surprising inland humpback whale migration. El Niño is a climate storm event that originated from the Pacific Ocean.