Jellyfish-like creatures pile up on Oregon coast

ROCKAWAY BEACH, Ore. (AP) — Thousands of jellyfish-like creatures have been piling up on Rockaway Beach in what appears to be a massive die-off.

KGW-TV reports 'Velella velella' typically live in the open ocean. When warm water and storms draw them near shore, the wind blows them onto beaches, where they die in piles.

The animals are like a cousin to the jellyfish.

They are commonly called "purple sailors," ''little sail," and "by the wind sailors."

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife says die-offs occur each spring along beaches from Oregon to California.