Cowell Beach fin whale removed after dying from apparent long-term illness

Now confirmed dead, the fin whale that washed ashore at Santa Cruz’s Cowell Beach was removed on Thursday night.

The Details

The City of Santa Cruz shared an update Friday stating that “The fin whale has been removed from Cowell Beach and transported to another location, where The Marine Mammal Center and Long Marine Lab will conduct a necropsy to better understand the circumstances surrounding its death.”

Although the whale appeared alive when it was first spotted, biologists reported that the large mammal was “emaciated” and showed signs of long-term illness.

The whale’s death was announced around 2 p.m. Thursday, but the exact cause remains undetermined.

Cowell Beach and the surrounding areas remain closed to the public until further notice. With high surf expected into the weekend, the City of Santa Cruz announced earlier Friday that all city beaches and the municipal wharf would be closed from 10 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Sunday, though when the closures end depends on weather