SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A young gray whale washed up on La Jolla Shores overnight.
The marine animal was first spotted around 10 p.m. Thursday near The Marine Room, a popular coastal restaurant in the area.
NewsNation’s affiliate KUSI was at the scene around 5 a.m. Friday, capturing the moment on video (above). The whale appeared to be lifeless in the water.
Later around 6:30 a.m., high tide rolled in, making it more likely that the the marine animal may be pushed back out to sea.
According to responding officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the young whale is about 24 feet long. It was reported that the whale was in shallow surf as of yesterday at sundown and appeared to be breathing, but NOAA said it was in “bad health” and looked emaciated.
Experts have said this is the time of year in which instances like these tend to happen. This is because these whales travel all the way from Alaska down to Mexico to birth their offspring before making the over 14,000-mile track back up the California coast.
According to NOAA officials at the scene, however, this whale appears to be a yearling, meaning it’s not a newborn from the whale migration. More assessments can be made once the tide subsides and testing can be conducted, as long as the tide doesn’t take the mammal back out to sea.
Back in December, a young fin whale washed ashore in Pacific Beach. San Diego State University Geologist and Professor Emeritus Pat Abbot said the possible causes of death in this previous whale’s case could have been a virus.
His assertion came after NOAA researchers who were called to the scene said human interference wasn’t believed to be a factor.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.