SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. – The Latest on the removal of a grey whale carcass from a California beach (all times local):

12:15 p.m.

Crews using earth-moving equipment have begun removing a massive grey whale carcass from a California beach.

A bulldozer rolled the 30-ton whale away from the water’s edge on Thursday and higher up on San Onofre State Beach.

A heavy equipment operator then began using a mechanical claw to chop off pieces, which will be hauled by dump trucks to a landfill.

The whale washed ashore Sunday at a popular surf break called Lower Trestles north of San Diego. The cause of death has not been determined.

Grey whales are currently migrating north toward arctic waters after wintering in Baja California lagoons.

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8:30 a.m.

Authorities say the rotting carcass of a 30-ton grey whale that washed up on a California beach will be cut up and trucked to a landfill.

California parks officials made the decision Wednesday after determining it would be impractical to tow the 40-foot whale out to sea or bury it at San Onofre State Beach about 55 miles north of downtown San Diego.

Beach Superintendent Rich Haydon says the work by an emergency contractor will begin Thursday morning and take a couple of days at a cost of about $30,000.

Curiosity seekers have been visiting the beach, despite the stench, since the huge animal washed ashore Sunday at Lower Trestles, a popular surfing spot.

The whale likely died of natural causes.

Grey whales are migrating north along the West Coast after wintering in Baja California lagoons.

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This story has been corrected to show the beach superintendent’s last name is Haydon.