SAN DIEGO — A young gray whale that washed up at La Jolla Shores near the Marine Room restaurant Thursday afternoon was confirmed dead later that evening by scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The remains were removed by a mechanized team Friday morning for further study by NOAA scientists.
A lieutenant with the Lifeguards said the whale was in a shallow, low-tide area when first found. The whale was reported to still be alive at sundown Thursday. NOAA was out at La Jolla Shores to assess the situation and determine whether the juvenile whale could return to the ocean on its own.
Around 10 p.m. Thursday, people were seen at La Jolla Shores trying to help and push the stranded whale back into the ocean.
Unfortunately, NOAA officials said they believe that the whale had died around 8:30 p.m. on Thursday.
NOAA told CBS 8 that the whale seemed to be a juvenile, around a few years old and roughly 24 feet long and estimated to weigh about 11,000 pounds.
NOAA scientists returned Friday morning to assess the status of the whale and to determine the cause of death or if it had suffered from any prior health issues.
NOAA said their crews will work to find any signs of obvious injuries or illnesses but are unable to fully assess the whale until a necropsy has been completed.
WATCH: People attempt to push the stranded gray whale back to sea Thursday evening
WATCH: Young gray whale washes up on La Jolla Shores
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