Rescue efforts fail for endangered 43‑foot sperm whale in Florida
11:27 AM EDT, March 12, 2024
The whale was discovered off the coast of Venice in western Florida on Sunday, March 10. Upon arrival, experts identified it as a male sperm whale that lacked the strength to swim back to the open sea.
Efforts to save the sperm whale proved futile
Marine rescuers initially attempted to sedate the whale to facilitate its rescue. However, challenging conditions such as strong winds and high waves made it impossible to reach the whale, which was located several yards from the shore. Thus, the rescue attempt was delayed until Monday, March 11.
The local police noted that by Sunday evening, the whale was still alive but struggling to breathe. Unfortunately, by Monday morning, officials from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) declared the whale had passed away overnight. It was then pulled ashore using heavy machinery.
The sperm whale faces the threat of extinction
The reason why the sperm whale ended up in shallow waters remains unknown, and an autopsy is planned to ascertain the cause of death—an investigation that may take several weeks.
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It is important to highlight that sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) are classified as an endangered species, primarily due to a long history of hunting that has led to their population decline. While males can reach up to 52 feet in length, females typically grow up to 36 feet.
