dead neonate gray whale
© LACoFD Lifeguards A dead neonate gray whale washed ashore in Santa Monica State Beach on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2014.
A dead 10-foot baby whale washed ashore near a lifeguard tower in Santa Monica State Beach on Tuesday.

Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguards said the neonate gray whale was spotted around 2 p.m. near Lifeguard Tower 12, located at 1200 Ocean Walk Front.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles was on its way to pick up the 1,200-pound mammal.

The cause of death was not immediately available.