Marine wildlife experts tried Thursday to help bring a young little whale out of Long Beach Harbour, which they have been swimming in the past few days, authorities said.
“This happens from time to time,” said National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration spokesman Michael Milstein. “Often they find their own way out.”
In 2017, a 20-foot-long gray whale sailed to the shallow waters of the Belmont Coast. The sighting happened the day after a 18-foot gray whale swimming in shallow water from No. 1 to No. 72.
Milstein said Thursday that a team of marine experts took down the boom near the port entrance, providing a wider opening for whales. They also make sounds to help guide the animal to the opening.
“The whale actually did swim, but then turned back and returned,” Milstein said.
The team decided to call it the day and give the whales another chance to swim by themselves, perhaps in the quiet evening. He didn’t say how big the whale was.
The local news station’s helicopter was hovering on the Catalina Express landing in downtown Long Beach, when whales could be seen swimming, a small group of people gathered to take photos and record videos on their phones.
Milstein said the whales were not immediately dangerous.
It is believed NOAA. The whale is in Marine Mammal Protection Act.
