ENCINITAS, Calif. (CNS) - A whale initially believed to have been beached was confirmed dead Monday, floating about 400 yards off the coast of San Elijo State Beach in Encinitas.
A team of lifeguards were dispatched early Monday morning to tow the carcass out to sea with personnel from California State Parks, according to the City of Encinitas.
Officials advised beachgoers to exercise caution before getting into the water for several days because at least one shark was spotted following the whale's carcass as it was being towed.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration identified the 40-foot-long whale as a male fine whale, but the agency told ABC 10News they have not been able to determine how the whale died.
NOAA officials said the inability to determine the cause of death was due to the decomposing carcass as well as a shark that was feeding on the whale.
According to NOAA, the fin whale is an endangered species but it is starting to rebound with more sightings off California.
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