Migrating whale makes pit stop in Calif.

MARINA DEL REY, Calif., June 9 (UPI) -- Experts said a gray while spotted in California's Marina del Rey channel is likely using the area as a pit stop for its long migration.

Peter Wallerstein, founder of Marine Animal Rescue, said the 20-foot-long California gray whale, which has been swimming in and out of the channel for the past week, is probably in the midst of migrating from the Mexican coast and chose Marina del Rey as a rest stop on the way to northern Alaska, the Los Angeles Times reported Tuesday.

"This one is probably a straggler," Wallerstein said. "Some just take a little longer than others" to complete their migration.

Wallerstein said the whale has thus far evaded danger, but there are fears that it could wind up in a collision with a speeding boat. He said officials are leaving the whale alone for now because it appears healthy and there have not yet been any problems resulting from its presence.

"We don't want to alter its natural instinct," Wallerstein said. "And that's what it's doing. It's exploring, resting and eating."