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clock-iconPUBLISHEDJuly 18, 2016

Wally The Whale's Carcass Keeps Washing Up On California Beaches

Tom Hale headshot

Tom Hale

Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.

Senior Journalist

Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.View full profile

Tom has a Master's degree in Journalism. His editorial work covers anything from archaeology and the environment to technology and culture.

View full profile
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The first attempt at removal of the whale at Dockweiler Beach in California on July 1. FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images

The body of “Wally” the unfortunate whale has managed to “re-beach” itself for the fifth time in California.

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The whale was first seen beached on Dockweiler Beach in California on Thursday, June 30, KABC-TV reports. With the assistance of a tractor, workers pushed the carcass back into the sea the following day. Time was of the essence, as thousands of beach-goers were expected to come to the beach to celebrate Independence Day weekend.

However, later that week it was spotted in San Pedro. On July 10, it was beached again on Newport Beach and subsequently towed away, but drifted back on July 11 where it was towed away for the fourth time. Over the weekend, a body has again washed up on the shores of Encinitas. Although it has not been official confirmed, lifeguards and some experts believe that it is the same body that has been continually dragged back to shore and then towed away over the past few weeks.

Fox 5 San Diego reports that authorities are now planning to remove the carcass again mainly because the body is beginning to heavily decompose and is causing a stink for several hundred yards around. As they did before on Dockweiler Beach, they're going to need some heavy equipment as the whale weighs several tons.

It is widely believed that the whale in question is Wally, a female humpback whale who was between 10 to 20 years old. The whale has been the subject of a few viral videos – including one where the whale produces a huge rainbow from the spray of its blowhole, which you can see below. 

[H/T: Guardian]


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