Whale carcass washes up in Pacific Palisades

A 30-foot whale carcass washed ashore this morning at the Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department responded to the beach around 8:20 a.m. after receiving a call about the carcass.

A rescue group is taking samples of blubber and vertebrae to determine a cause of death, said Pono Barnes with L.A. County Fire.

There is a small section of the beach, between tower 14 and 15, which have been taped off for the day to ensure safety to emergency workers and beachgoers.

The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors is now working with a third party contractor to safely remove the carcass from the beach.

It is not known how long the carcass has been there for.