10th dead whale in 2 months found floating near Bay Area beach

People look at a beached dead Gray Whale at Ocean Beach on May 06, 2019 in San Francisco, California. People look at a beached dead Gray Whale at Ocean Beach on May 06, 2019 in San Francisco, California. Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Photo: Justin Sullivan / Getty Images Image 1 of / 28 Caption Close 10th dead whale in 2 months found floating near Bay Area beach 1 / 28 Back to Gallery

A dead whale is stranded near a Pacifica beach, officials confirmed Tuesday. The creature's death marks the tenth whale stranding in the Bay Area since March 10.

The Marine Mammal Center began receiving reports about the animal on Tuesday morning, spokesperson Giancarlo Rulli said.

Rulli said the whale is floating in the surfline near Linda Mar Beach. The species, age and cause of death are not yet known as the carcass is inaccessible to researchers. They're waiting for the whale to wash ashore, Rulli said.

ALSO: Dead gray whale at Ocean Beach was hit by a ship

Since March, four whales have died due to ship strikes, and another four from malnutrition, experts say. The cause of deaths of a whale discovered April 30 at Limantour Beach has not been confirmed.

ALSO: More whales are hanging out in San Francisco Bay. It may be a bad sign.

In all, 48 dead gray whales have been found along the coasts of California, Washington, Oregon and Alaska, fisheries service officials told The Chronicle. At least 31 of the strandings were reported along California.

You can read more about the whale strandings and what has caused them on The Chronicle's website.

Read Michelle Robertson's latest stories and send her news tips at michelle.robertson@sfgate.com.

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