UPDATE: Tuesday, March 27,2018
NOAA officials say the whale likely died after colliding with a boat. They will however still test tissue and bone samples to confirm its death. Researchers say the gray whale has been dead for about a week and since decomposition is advanced tissue testing may not be effective in determining a cause of death. They advise beachgoers to avoid the water near Torrey Pines and Fiesta Island where the carcass was for the next 24 hours to give the water a chance to clear up. Official suspect this whale carcass may be the same carcass spotted drifting near the coast in Northern California a few days ago.
A dead gray whale turned up Monday in the ocean off the coast of Torrey Pines State Reserve, authorities reported.
Lifeguards spotted the carcass drifting in the swells near Black's Beach about 11 a.m., according to the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
A 25’ dead grey whale spotted by @SDLifeguards this morning at about 11. Natl Marine Fisheries approved lifeguards to tow it to the west side of Fiesta Island near dog beach. Park & Rec staff will pick it up and take it to the landfill in the morning. pic.twitter.com/CwjgKj2KxW
— SDFD (@SDFD) March 26, 2018
After consulting with the National Marine Fisheries Service, lifeguards decided to tow the remains of the cetacean to Fiesta Island, SDFRD spokeswoman Monica Munoz said. On Tuesday morning, city Parks and Recreation staffers will haul the carcass to a municipal landfill for disposal, she said.
