A huge sperm whale that had washed up on the Gulf of Mexico coast in Florida over the weekend diedreported the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC, in English).
Despite efforts to rescue it by environmental authorities in Venice, on the southwest coast of Florida, The cetacean died after facing difficulties breathing and being practically trapped in the sand and with very little water.
It was an adult male that measured about 13.4 meters long and weighed about 32,000 kilograms.according to the Mote Marine Laboratory, which described the animal as “emaciated.”
“Biologists will collect samples to attempt to determine the cause of the illness and death, and to better understand the health and life history of the sperm whale,” the FWC said in a statement.
The sperm whale was found on the morning of Sunday, March 10, 2024 and, due to the strong waves and the unpredictable behavior of the animals, the rescue intervention was initially not very safe.
“Moving large whales, which weigh about 70,000 poundscarries serious safety risks for the whale and for the lifeguards involved,” Mote Laboratory noted.
Throughout the night, it was confirmed that the sperm whale had died on its own, he said. At approximately noon last Monday, the sperm whale was placed on the beach by a heavy excavator.
Once the necropsy is complete, the cetacean will be towed back to the sea.
Source: https://www.noticiascaracol.com/mundo/muere-un-cachalote-tras-quedar-atrapado-en-una-playa-de-florida-estados-unidos-cb20
