Shark Bite Wounded Whale in Huntington Beach Washes Ashore (Video)

Dashel Pierson
·2 min read
16

There’s been lots of shark activity in Southern California recently.

And the latest wasn’t a sighting, an attack, or an encounter. It was a an as-of-yet disclosed whale species, allegedly mutilated by a shark, which washed ashore.

It happened on Sunday around 3:45 pm in Sunset Beach, on the north end of Huntington Beach, and officials have closed the beaches to swimmers and surfers.

Video footage above shows the injured animal struggling in the shoreline.

Per a statement on X (formerly Twitter) Huntington Beach officials wrote:

“As of 4:30pm on Sunday (11/5), the Sunset Beach shoreline & ocean has been closed due to shark activity.

“At approximately 3:45pm, lifeguards were made aware of a beached juvenile whale near Tower 22 in Sunset Beach. While the whale was still alive, bite marks were seen on the mammal. In speaking with those in the area, beachgoers reported seeing splashing & aggressive shark activity prior to the whale washing ashore.

“As is the City’s policy when aggressive shark behavior is witnessed, the shoreline & ocean will be closed for 1 mile in each direction of the incident. The closure will remain in place for the next 48 hours.

“Notifications have been made to all applicable agencies, including the Pacific Marine Mammal Center & surrounding jurisdictions.”

This encounter comes in the midst of a flurry of shark activity in Southern California, including surfers catching waves near curious great whites, fishermen getting approached (and rightfully spooked) by a great white, and, up to the north, a seal recently ripped out the throat of a shark in a presumed act of retribution for all its fallen brethren.

Per officials, and this most recent incident, beaches in the surrounding area will remain closed to surfers and swimmers for 48 hours.

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