The West Coast is, unfortunately, turning into a morgue for gray whales.

Scientists and volunteers are asking people who own private beaches to allow workers in to take care of these washed up whales.

It was reported that 29 dead whales washed ashore in Washington alone last month. Beaches need to be used to take care of the bodies of the various whales and allow them to decompose naturally. Here is where the problem lies with many residents.

Gray whales are larger than most school buses and are not going to smell very pleasant. Since they are passing away so quickly, finding space to allow them to decompose in peace is becoming tricky. This is being called an “unusual mortality event” with over 160 whales dying from Mexico up to Canada since the start of the year.

In order to speed up the decomposition process, veterinarians are using large amounts of lime, which is also used to lessen the decomposing smell. The smell, however, is what most people are struggling with as they can smell it from a decent distance away.

It is estimated that only about 10 percent of deceased whales are washing up to shore. The rest are dropping down to the bottom of the sea without humans even noticing. It is looking like these whales are dying from starvation. Many have been found with stomachs full of eel grass, which is not something they can survive on.