Dead whale rots near Malibu beach homes, as officials argue over who is responsible for disposing of it

**Jenna** · 12-08-12, 11:53 AM

No government agency is taking action to remove the decaying carcass of a whale on a California beach, making it appear the job will be left to Mother Nature.

The 40-foot-long, 40,000-pound juvenile male washed ashore Monday near Point Dume, which marks the western end of Santa Monica Bay, about 30 miles west of downtown Los Angeles.“From the evidence that we have so far, it appears that it was hit by a ship,” said Jonsie Ross, marine mammal coordinator for the California Wildlife Center.James Respondek, a real estate agent who lives in the area, worried that the carcass would draw sharks that could pose a threat to his young daughter, who swims in the cove, and to his favorite surfing spot down the beach. He said he was frustrated that no agency would remove the carcass.“There seems to be no readiness to take responsibility, to take action, just a lot of excuses. ‘I don’t have a boat, I don’t have the money, I don’t have the resources,’ they all told me,” he said.

Decomposing carcass of giant whale on Malibu beach likely to be left for nature to dispose of - The Washington Post

**Ducky** · 12-08-12, 01:00 PM

I should think this would fall in the DNR's bailiwick, otherwise yes, wait a couple more months and the problem takes care of itself. Sad as hell that it died because it got hit by a ship. Nasty way to go.