A young humpback whale has been the center of attention after it was spotted swimming in Pillar Point Harbor in Half Moon Bay. Officials from the Marine Mammal Center suggest that the whale, which seems healthy and moving freely, likely made a navigational error and ended up in the harbor. They're watching the situation, hoping the aquatic visitor will return to the open ocean by the weekend.

Marine wildlife experts, who have been viewing the whale since yesterday, have noted that while it's common to see these giants along the California coast this time of year, often in search of food, a harbor is not their typical hangout spot. According to ABC7 News, the whale's presence in the harbor shouldn't raise alarms. It's expected that it will intuitively make its way out to safer and more suitable waters without intervention.

Public interest in the whale has been high, but experts urge onlookers to maintain a respectful distance. Especially since this endangered stock of humpback whales is protected under federal laws. "I know most humans are compassionate and want to help this animal but the best thing is to let it work this out on its own and ask folks trying to approach it to please give it a wide berth — at least 100 yards,” Sue Pemberton of the California Academy of Sciences stated, in an appeal for restraint reported by KRON4.

Authorities are requesting that people refrain from using boats to reach the whale or attempting to shepherd it out of the harbor, an action that could worsen the situation. "The whale is stressed out enough, and doing so will make a bad situation worse,” Sue Pemberton warned. She recommended a slow and cautious approach for boats navigating through the harbor, inadvertently speaking to the whale in her statement to KRON4.