Gray Whale Washes Up On Dockweiler Beach

PLAYA DEL REY, CA — A gray whale washed up on shore at Dockweiler Beach just south of Marina del Rey Wednesday afternoon. It was alive — thin and malnourished — but then it later died.

Lifeguards reported the beached whale about 4 p.m. Wednesday.

Experts say the whale was about two years old and sick, Supervisor Janice Hahn said. It died around 6:30 p.m.

Peter Wallerstein, president and founder of Marine Animal Rescue, said the whale likely washed up because it was sick.

"When they get sick, they beach themselves to prevent from drowning," Wallerstein said. "But they don't know that beaching themselves is even worse because it puts a lot of pressure on their bodies."

Wallerstein said the whale's corpse will likely be left in place until Thursday morning, at which point investigators will perform a necropsy before it is towed away.

A crowd gathered near the whale Wednesday, where lifeguards had created a barrier space between people and the whale as it struggled and the National Marine Fisheries determined what action to take.

Update on the beached whale at Dockweiler. The whale is still alive but thin and malnourished. @MARescue and @MMCC_LA are on the scene with @LACoLifeguards.

Right now, the plan is to wait for tide to come in. Towing the whale back out would risk of hurting it. pic.twitter.com/4PUOBHAuwR
— Janice Hahn (@SupJaniceHahn) March 18, 2021

#GillisIC Shortly before 4PM Lifeguards responded to a report of a 25’ whale inside of the surfline just south of Marina Del Rey at Dockweiler beach. @MARescue @LAPDHQ and @LACoLifeguards are on scene. pic.twitter.com/YOKiGtgIcZ
— LACoFD Lifeguards (@LACoLifeguards) March 17, 2021

- City News Service and Patch Editor Nicole Charky contributed to this report.