Dead Whale Spotted In Surf Near Sonoma County's Bodega Bay

SONOMA (CBS SF) -- A dead whale was spotted in the surf at a Sonoma County beach on Monday afternoon.

According to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, the dead whale was spotted at Salmon Creek Beach by crew aboard one of their helicopters on Monday afternoon.

Neither the type of whale nor the cause of its death was immediately reported by the Sheriff's Office.

In February 2014, a young gray whale washed up dead just north of Salmon Creek Beach and in May 2015, a young gray washed up dead on nearby Portuguese Beach.

Last month, a 7,000 pound, 40-foot-long gray whale washed ashore dead at San Onofre State Beach in Southern California, leading to putrid smells.

The popular Surfline website posted a timelapse video of the dead whale washing ashore in Southern California last month.

Disposing of the dead whale's body, which washed ashore at a famous surf spot just south of San Clemente in April, was a significant challenge.

By Hannah Albarazi - Follow her on Twitter: @hannahalbarazi.

In:
• Sonoma County