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A lifeless 52-foot fin whale made an unexpected appearance on Pacific Beach in San Diego on Sunday, sparking a collaborative effort from local authorities and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to address the situation.
Reported by NBC San Diego, the massive mammal was discovered near Santa Rita Place, situated at the border of Mission Beachand Pacific Beach, before 9:30 a.m.local time. Witnesses observed the whale bleeding from its side, with Michael Milstein, a public affairs officer from NOAA, suggesting that the injuries were likely caused by birds pecking at the deceased creature, rather than a significant injury.
Efforts by lifeguards to tow the whale back out to sea faced challenges, as attempts to secure its tail to a small boat were unsuccessful. Spectators, including personnel from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and the San Diego Police Department, gathered around the whale, some even approaching and touching it. Lifeguards repeatedly used their vehicle’s loudspeaker to urge bystanders to maintain distance and provide researchers with space.
NOAA researchers arrived around 11:00 a.m. local time, establishing a perimeter with the assistance of lifeguards. The team conducted an initial examination, taking photographs and collecting data to ascertain the cause of death. The whale, identified as a female juvenile, displayed no evident propeller marks or gashes that would suggest a collision with a vessel, according to Milstein.
While the exact cause of death remains unknown, Milstein cautioned that people and pets should stay away from the whale to allow researchers to conduct a thorough investigation. He noted that the deceased whale could potentially have an underlying illness.
With the goal of removing the fin whale from the beach promptly, NOAA researchers plan to tow it offshore and allow it to sink. The fin whale, considered the second-largest whale species on Earth, will undergo further examination as authorities work to unravel the circumstances surrounding its tragic demise.
Reported by NBC San Diego, the massive mammal was discovered near Santa Rita Place, situated at the border of Mission Beachand Pacific Beach, before 9:30 a.m.local time. Witnesses observed the whale bleeding from its side, with Michael Milstein, a public affairs officer from NOAA, suggesting that the injuries were likely caused by birds pecking at the deceased creature, rather than a significant injury.
Efforts by lifeguards to tow the whale back out to sea faced challenges, as attempts to secure its tail to a small boat were unsuccessful. Spectators, including personnel from the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department and the San Diego Police Department, gathered around the whale, some even approaching and touching it. Lifeguards repeatedly used their vehicle’s loudspeaker to urge bystanders to maintain distance and provide researchers with space.
NOAA researchers arrived around 11:00 a.m. local time, establishing a perimeter with the assistance of lifeguards. The team conducted an initial examination, taking photographs and collecting data to ascertain the cause of death. The whale, identified as a female juvenile, displayed no evident propeller marks or gashes that would suggest a collision with a vessel, according to Milstein.
While the exact cause of death remains unknown, Milstein cautioned that people and pets should stay away from the whale to allow researchers to conduct a thorough investigation. He noted that the deceased whale could potentially have an underlying illness.
With the goal of removing the fin whale from the beach promptly, NOAA researchers plan to tow it offshore and allow it to sink. The fin whale, considered the second-largest whale species on Earth, will undergo further examination as authorities work to unravel the circumstances surrounding its tragic demise.
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