HALF MOON BAY, California (18 Aug 2005) -- A dead humpback whale that recently washed ashore on Poplar Beach could be something of a time bomb, officials say. As it decomposes, gases are building up in the stomach of the 30-to-40-foot juvenile whale which could cause it to explode, said Ranger Nelle Lyons of the Half Moon Bay State Park ranger station. Commander Lon Waxstein of the Half Moon Bay Police Department said the dead whale likely came ashore Sunday, since that's when people starting calling about it. It's unknown how the animal died. Figuring out what to do with the massive carcass has become something of a dilemma, Waxstein said. "I think everybody is hoping the tide will take it out and it will become someone else's problem," he said. The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Waxstein said, is supposed to coordinate efforts to remove the whale. Officials from the sanctuary did not return several phone calls Wednesday. In the meantime, state park officials have placed signs on the beach advising people not to go near the whale. | | Dead humpback whale could explode. Also, Lyons said people should not go in the water near the carcass, since it could attract sharks. When whales wash ashore, they are typically either buried, towed out to sea or left to decompose on the beach, Waxstein said. "It's probably going to take some time to coordinate what to do with it," he said. "This is a big problem, because it's a big animal, and it's not like the humane society can take it away." SOURCE - The Argus |
