The public was being asked to avoid Torrance Beach Sunday, where lifeguards and wildlife specialists were securing a dead Fin whale for a necropsy after the animal was found inside the surf line Saturday and died before rescuers arrived.
Lifeguards discovered the whale around 6 p.m. Saturday near the beach between Redondo Beach and Malaga Cove, according to a Los Angeles County Lifeguards post on X.
The Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro and the National Marine Fisheries Service responded to the scene and determined that the whale had died, lifeguards said.
“Due to its size & location it is expected that the whale will remain on the beach while responders create a plan to remove it,” the statement said. “If you are in the area please give the animal & responders plenty of space to work!”
On Sunday morning, Torrance officials announced that the beached whale was being secured for a necropsy and that a foul odor may be present.
The public was advised to avoid the area for an unknown duration.