We know that Southern California is home to a wide variety of wildlife that we can observe in its natural habitat. A clear example of this are the viral eagles, Jackie and Shadow, who caused a sensation on social media weeks ago, along with their companion, the squirrel Fiona. Currently, the latest news is a whale spotted in Long Beach, but in an unusual place: Rainbow Harbor.
According to local reports, the whale appeared on Tuesday night and has spent a few days in the harbor. Later on, it was assisted by local scientists that, according to the L.A. Times, managed to successfully guide the whale back to the ocean, but the cetacean decided it preferred the waters of Rainbow Harbor. While all this unfolded, a small crowd gathered to catch a glimpse of the new local aquatic celebrity.
The NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), is closely monitoring the whale, which appears unharmed and likely arrived during high tide. With low tides now, getting the whale back to open sea is more challenging. Officials are urging the public to give the animal space as they work to help it return to the ocean.
Minke whales, while not endangered, are one of the smaller whale species, typically measuring between 23 and 33 feet in length. In Southern California, these whales migrate along the Pacific coast, moving from the colder northern waters to the warmer southern waters during the winter. Although it’s rare for them to become stranded in harbors, occasional sightings do occur.
If you spot an injured, stranded, or beached marine animal in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, you can report it to the California Wildlife Center for expert assistance by calling (310) 924-7256. If you live in other SoCal counties, you can check the full listing here.