Thar she goes: Whale carcass dragged out to sea to spare July 4 crowds

The reeking carcass of a dead humpback whale was towed back out to sea after it washed up at a popular Los Angeles beach. It was dragged out by boats pulling ropes attached to the tail to pull it off the sand during the evening high tide. The 45ft mammal, identified as a 15-year-old male nicknamed Wally by whale watchers, was taken far out to sea to avoid a foul stench and grim scene on the beach as Fourth of July weekend crowds began arriving. Authorities had earlier attempted the procedure earlier, with a bulldozer pushing, but it was unsuccessful because of the low tide.

It’s starting to smell … and decompose pretty rapidly

Los Angeles County Lifeguard Capt Ken Haskett

The whale floated ashore at Dockweiler Beach late on Thursday evening and the 22-ton carcass soon drew plenty of attention from visitors. Tail markings were compared with a photo database to show that the same whale, nicknamed Wally, was spotted three times previously off Southern California between June and August last year. Marine animal authorities are now trying to determine why the animal died. Its death comes after a rare blue whale was spotted off Southern California entangled in crab pot lines on Monday.

wally whale