BREAKING: Emergency Personnel Attending to Beached Whale along Emeryville Peninsula

A whale sighting yesterday in the Eastshore Park area of the Emeryville Peninsula that delighted onlookers has turned into a potentially tragic incident.

An NBC Bay Area video segment shared footage of the Minke whale spotted by a customer of the nearby Shell gas station. At the time, the whale appeared healthy and there were no visible signs of distress. Sightings of this particular breed of whale are said to be rare.

Minke whales are small, agile baleen whales known for their speed and elusive nature.

Unfortunately, the health of the whale has taken a turn and the struggling marine mammal was spotted beached just feet from the shoreline.

A crowd with several media outlets and onlookers has gathered at the scene. Emeryville PD are discouraging onlookers from gathering to give personnel room to operate.

Alameda County Fire and The Marine Mammal Center personnel could be seen hosing the animal down to keep it moist and prevent it from dehydration.

A makeshift platform was built around the mammal in the mudflats to provide easier access to those attending to it.

A veterinarian specializes in marine wildlife has been called to the scene to evaluate the health of the mammal and its ability to dislodge itself.

4:30 p.m Update: Sadly, the whale had to be euthanized.

“While not the outcome we hoped for, it was in the best interest of this whale,” The Marine Mammal Center shared via X. “A partial necropsy is planned, though results won’t be available for several weeks.”

While not the outcome we hoped for, it was in the best interest of this whale. A partial necropsy is planned, though results won’t be available for several weeks. The whale appeared to be in good body condition, but had peeling white skin that looked to be healing from a sunburn. pic.twitter.com/1vFvrU49C7
— The Marine Mammal Center (@TMMC) April 8, 2025