Marina Whale Heading Towards Malibu

Marina Del Rey (myFOXla.com) - The young grey whale that appeared ready to spend the summer in Marina Del Rey has departed for parts unknown, wildlife officials said Sunday.

A Los Angeles County Baywatch crew said the whale swam out of the channel and headed north past Venice and Santa Monica just before sunset Friday.

The Baywatch boat, and a second boat operated by marine biologist Peter Wallerstein, followed the cetacean northwest as it was accompanied by a pod of about 50 bottlenose dolphins.

"The whale was swimming at a quick, steady pace, and stayed 400 yards offshore," Wallerstein said today. "Officials lost track of the whale as it swam into deeper water."

The whale first appeared June 2 at the manmade harbor, just north of Los Angeles International Airport. Baywatch, Coast Guard volunteers and others have been monitoring the animal to shoo-away any mariners or swimmers who got too close to it.

The observers said the whale appeared to spend its time eating crabs and scratching its belly on the sandy bottom.