Mystery Surrounds 25-Foot Grey Whale Found Dead in Huntington Beach

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — A deceased 25-foot grey whale washed ashore near the Huntington Beach Pier on Friday, April 11, prompting an investigation into the cause of death. The Pacific Marine Mammal Center (PMMC) responded early Saturday to conduct a necropsy on the adult female whale, whose cause of death remains unknown.

According to Glenn Gray, CEO of PMMC, the whale was estimated to weigh around 60,000 pounds, which is typical for the species. City spokesperson Jennifer Carey confirmed that the whale washed up near Tower 7 and that the area has been cordoned off by Huntington Beach Marine Safety officials.

“It’s sad to see a large gray whale beached,” said local real estate broker Lytle G. Warren, who shared a photo on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. “I understand this is about average for an adult whale.”

Photos of the whale, similar in size to a stretch Cadillac Escalade, circulated on social media as beachgoers expressed their shock. Gray emphasized that the investigation will look into the whale’s condition leading to its beaching.

Huntington Beach Public Works Department has received authorization from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and PMMC to bury the whale on Sunday morning. This incident mirrors a recent case where a rare minke whale was found deceased in Long Beach’s Rainbow Harbor last week, highlighting ongoing concerns for marine mammal health in Southern California.

Last week, the minke whale was euthanized after becoming stuck in shallow waters at the Emeryville Marina in San Francisco Bay. The Marine Mammal Center noted that the whale had been calm while initially trapped but could not be freed later and suffered from deteriorating conditions. This led to the difficult decision to humanely euthanize the animal.

“We are following this situation closely and are working to ensure that we take the proper steps for the grey whale,” Gray added. The community response remains strong, as residents and visitors grapple with the sight of the massive animal on the beach.