Lingering Dead Whale Will Be Laid to Rest in Landfill

Crews today were expected to begin the process of removing a dead fin whale that reappeared on San Diego County's shoreline after being towed out to sea, according to authorities, who now plan to dispose of the carcass at a landfill.

The whale's body was initially found May 19 near the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant and towed out over nine miles to sea two days later in hopes that white shark would feed on it. But it reappeared over the weekend at Border Field State Park near the U.S./Mexico border, according to authorities, who said strong currents brought the whale back to shore.

Chris Peregrin, the park's manager, told reporters that officials will begin an exploratory necropsy today, taking portions of the whale that can be used for research and education before likely disposing of the remaining carcass at a landfill.

The cause of the death of the whale is not expected to be determined definitively because of advancing decay.

The process of the necropsy -- the animal version of a human autopsy -- and the whale's removal is expected to be completed by Sunday.

—City News Service