A young gray whale that died on an Olympic National Park beach was cut up by the Makah last week, with the meat and blubber distributed to tribal members.

Assistant Park Superintendent Roger Rudolph and Makah Tribal Chairman Greig Arnold said Tuesday that it was all legal — the whale was on the Makah’s “usual and accustomed” whaling grounds as outlined in the Neah Bay Treaty of 1855.

“It was absolutely delicious,” Arnold said. “I had it as a roast.”

The whale, 15 to 20 feet long and estimated to be less than 2 years old, washed up on shore after apparently being mauled by killer whales.

It was found, barely alive, on Sunday, June 10, when two hikers from New Zealand came upon it on Yellow Banks Beach, six miles south of Sand Point and 30 miles south of the Makah reservation, Rudolph said Tuesday.

Details appear in today’s edition of the Peninsula Daily News, on sale throughout Clallam and Jefferson counties. Or click onto “Subscribe” to obtain your copy via U.S. mail.