Whale on California beach will be cut up, sent to landfill

A woman covers her face while walking past a massive carcass of a whale decomposing at a popular California surfing spot Tuesday, April 26, 2016, in San Clemente, Calif. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — Authorities say the rotting carcass of a 30-ton gray whale that washed up on a California beach 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 Sunday at Lower Trestles, a popular surfing spot.