Lovers Point Beach was temporarily closed until further notice on Wednesday after a deceased humpback whale was found in the area, according to Pacific Grove police.Police said they were notified of the dead whale around 12:55 p.m. on Wednesday after it was seen floating near the shoreline by Hopkins Marine Station. It washed ashore on Thursday. Police said Wednesday the closure was issued “out of an abundance of caution” because the whale could attract predators to the shoreline.The temporary closure was put in place to protect public health and safety while conditions were being assessed. On Thursday, police said the closure would remain in place for the next 24 hours while the situation was being assessed.“Marine mammal carcasses can attract sharks, particularly larger predatory species, which is the primary concern prompting this precautionary measure,” police said.A coordinated response is now underway following the stranding of the deceased humpback whale, led by the Marine Mammal Stranding Networks at UC Santa Cruz’s Long Marine Laboratory and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, in partnership with the City of Pacific Grove, Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station, NOAA Fisheries and other local partners.Officials said whale strandings are a natural occurrence and can provide important opportunities for scientists to learn more about marine mammal health, ecology and threats facing whale populations.Because the whale stranded on an ecologically sensitive beach that serves as habitat for harbor seals and nursing harbor seal pups, officials said response efforts are being carefully planned to minimize impacts to wildlife and the surrounding environment.Over the next 24 hours, trained responders will conduct a limited necropsy to collect biological samples that may help investigators better understand possible contributors to the whale’s death, though officials said the cause may remain unknown. After samples are collected, the whale will remain largely intact and be removed from the beach by towing in an effort to reduce impacts to the beach ecosystem and nearby wildlife.Members of the public are being asked to observe the response from a distance and avoid approaching the whale or entering sensitive wildlife areas. Officials said human presence near harbor seal pupping habitat can cause unnecessary stress and disturbance during a critical period.Despite the closure, the whale has drawn attention from locals and visitors alike.The whale has become a mini-attraction, with lots of people stopping to take pictures.

PACIFIC GROVE, Calif. —

Lovers Point Beach was temporarily closed until further notice on Wednesday after a deceased humpback whale was found in the area, according to Pacific Grove police.

Police said they were notified of the dead whale around 12:55 p.m. on Wednesday after it was seen floating near the shoreline by Hopkins Marine Station. It washed ashore on Thursday.

Police said Wednesday the closure was issued “out of an abundance of caution” because the whale could attract predators to the shoreline.

The temporary closure was put in place to protect public health and safety while conditions were being assessed. On Thursday, police said the closure would remain in place for the next 24 hours while the situation was being assessed.

“Marine mammal carcasses can attract sharks, particularly larger predatory species, which is the primary concern prompting this precautionary measure,” police said.

A coordinated response is now underway following the stranding of the deceased humpback whale, led by the Marine Mammal Stranding Networks at UC Santa Cruz’s Long Marine Laboratory and Moss Landing Marine Laboratories, in partnership with the City of Pacific Grove, Stanford University’s Hopkins Marine Station, NOAA Fisheries and other local partners.

Officials said whale strandings are a natural occurrence and can provide important opportunities for scientists to learn more about marine mammal health, ecology and threats facing whale populations.

Because the whale stranded on an ecologically sensitive beach that serves as habitat for harbor seals and nursing harbor seal pups, officials said response efforts are being carefully planned to minimize impacts to wildlife and the surrounding environment.

Over the next 24 hours, trained responders will conduct a limited necropsy to collect biological samples that may help investigators better understand possible contributors to the whale’s death, though officials said the cause may remain unknown.

After samples are collected, the whale will remain largely intact and be removed from the beach by towing in an effort to reduce impacts to the beach ecosystem and nearby wildlife.

Members of the public are being asked to observe the response from a distance and avoid approaching the whale or entering sensitive wildlife areas. Officials said human presence near harbor seal pupping habitat can cause unnecessary stress and disturbance during a critical period.

Despite the closure, the whale has drawn attention from locals and visitors alike.

The whale has become a mini-attraction, with lots of people stopping to take pictures.