Officials say the whale could roll in the surf, posing a danger to beachgoers
NEED TO KNOW
- A 9-foot, 11-ton humpback whale washed ashore in California’s Newport Beach on Feb. 18
- Hazardous ocean conditions have delayed the removal of the dead animal
- A necropsy is pending as authorities warn the public to stay at least 100 feet away from the carcass
A massive humpback whale washed ashore on a California beach, prompting safety warnings and an urgent assessment by marine officials as crews determine how to remove the 11-ton carcass.
According to The Orange County Register, the dead whale is estimated to be between 27 and 29 feet long and weighs roughly 20,000 to 23,000 pounds. Newport Beach lifeguard chief Brian O’Rourke told the outlet that the mammal was first spotted offshore of Newport Beach on Wednesday, Feb. 18, around 1:45 p.m. near 28th Street before drifting onto the sand near 11th Street around 3 p.m., between the Newport and Balboa piers and close to Newport Elementary School.
The whale is believed to be a subadult humpback, likely about a year old. Humpbacks do not reach sexual maturity until after 5 years of age. Staff from the Pacific Marine Mammal Center responded to the scene to collect samples and begin an initial assessment of the cause of death.
As of writing, the cause of death remains unknown. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spokesperson Michael Milstein told The Orange County Register that experts will conduct a preliminary review followed by a necropsy…