Gray Whale Found Dead on Little Dume Beach in Malibu

A 25-foot, 13,000-pound gray whale carcass was found washed ashore on Little Dume Beach in Malibu, California. The discovery prompted a response from local lifeguards, who advised the public to maintain a safe distance from the remains. The whale is within the jurisdiction of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the National Marine Fisheries Service, and officials are currently investigating the cause of death. The California Wildlife Center and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) are collaborating to determine the next steps for handling the situation.

Local residents, who are familiar with the sight of gray whales migrating along the coast, were affected by the sight of the dead whale, expressing both sadness for the loss and concern for the rest of the migrating population. Meanwhile, the California Wildlife Center plans to collect samples from the whale to ascertain why it died. The incident drew attention from a filmmaker who had observed the whale alive, struggling in the surf before it died.

The event has impacted local public health advisories, with areas including Laguna Beach, Carl Gray Park, and the Dupont Bridge being affected. While the situation has caught the attention of the community and officials alike, the precise reasons behind the whale's death remain to be determined through ongoing investigations.