Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
A stuck and ‘skittish’ minke whale is still swimming in Long Beach Harbor
The minke whale has been swimming around Long Beach Harbor for several days.
(
KCAL-TV Channel 9
)
A minke whale has been swimming around the Long Beach Harbor for most of the week, despite marine officials' attempts to shepherd it back out to sea.
It’s not unusual for whales to wander into bays or harbors looking for food or a place to rest, according to Michael Milstein, public affairs officer with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries.
The animals typically find their own way out, but this whale has been a bit stubborn.
Officials were able to encourage it to leave the bay earlier this week, but it still hasn’t made it all the way out of the harbor.
Support for LAist comes from
Milstein told LAist that a bridge between the open sea may be to blame.
“It seems to be kind of skittish about going under the bridge,” he said. “We’re kind of hoping at night, when things are calmer and it's not seeing those shadows, that maybe it will find its way out.”
What we know
The whale is believed to have been there since early this week, and it has no obvious signs of injury or illness.
Officials have attempted to coax it out of the harbor around the Catalina Landing dock, which Milstein noted is a fairly small area for the animal, including on Thursday and Friday.
You might have seen our visiting whale friend on the local news in recent days! Come on down to the Long Beach waterfront to see if you can spot the minke whale that has been feeding in the harbor. pic.twitter.com/ehwsC2ebaY
— Visit Long Beach (@VisitLB) April 4, 2025
Support for LAist comes from
They moved boats around and adjusted the opening to make it wider, but the whale still isn’t venturing beyond the bridge.
“It's a bit of a puzzle, but hopefully, this one can figure it out if given a little time,” he said.
The plan is to stand down over the weekend and give the whale another few days to find its way out. But that could change if it starts showing any behavioral or health concerns.
How to help in similar situations
You can help be NOAA’s eyes and ears by reporting marine mammals that are sick, stranded or otherwise need assistance by calling (866)-767-6114.
The West Coast Marine Mammal Stranding Network hotline is open 24/7.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](data:image/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciIHZlcnNpb249IjEuMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIzOTZweCIgd2lkdGg9IjY0MHB4Ij48L3N2Zz4=)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding.
-
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline.
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist