Dead Whale In San Clemente Will Be Cut Up, Sent To Landfill

SAN CLEMENTE (CBSLA.com/AP) — Authorities say the rotting carcass of a 30-ton gray whale that washed ashore on a popular surf spot in San Clemente will be cut up and trucked to a landfill.

California parks officials made the decision Wednesday after deciding it would be impractical to tow the 40-foot whale out to sea or bury it at San Onofre State Beach in San Diego County.

Beach Superintendent Rich Hardon says the work by an emergency contractor will begin Thursday morning and take a couple of days at a cost of about $30,000.

Curiosity seekers have been visiting the beach, despite the stench, since the huge animal washed ashore on Sunday at Lower Trestles, a popular surfing spot.

Witnesses had said over the weekend that many people were overcome with grief at seeing the now-dead creature that they could do nothing more than cry.

(TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)