Massive Dead Whale Washes Up on Popular Beach

San Diego beachgoers got an unexpected guest on the shore while trying to enjoy the sun and surf over the weekend. A dead 52-foot fin whale washed up on the sand, leaving spectators and professionals scrambling to remove the carcass and evaluate just what led to its death. 

It all happened on the border of Pacific Beach and Mission Beach on the morning of Dec. 11. Officials from the San Diego Fire Rescue Department, including firefighters and lifeguards, as well as the San Diego Police Department surrounded the whale's body after it appeared on shore. Some bystanders were so intrigued they'd run up to touch the dead whale, but according to NBC San Diego, lifeguards had to step in to protect the curious onlookers. 

"We need you to stay away from the whale," a lifeguard said in one of several loudspeaker announcements. "Lifeguards are requesting that and NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] fisheries is requesting that you do not touch the mammal." Given the danger of exploding whale carcasses, it was probably best for people to stay away.

NOAA officials arrived and swiftly got to work taking photos of the dead animal and collecting data. Lifeguards tried unsuccessfully to pull the whale back out to sea using a small boat, but officials eventually waited for high tide and worked to remove the corpse by towing it offshore and letting it sink. 

Michael Milstein, a public affairs officer with NOAA, told NBC San Diego that researchers aren't sure how the female fin whale died. It was bleeding from a gash on its side, though Milstein said it was likely from birds pecking at it. There were no signs of being hit by a boat either. Because the cause of death remains a mystery, Milstein believed the whale could have had an underlying illness.

The California coast may be a great place for whale watching, but their close proximity also means their bodies sometimes end up on land with us.