A sperm whale that had beached itself on a sandbar along Florida's Gulf Coast in Venice has tragically passed away, as confirmed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The male whale, initially estimated to be 70 feet (21 meters) long, was later determined to be 44 feet (13 meters) in length by biologists.
Efforts to free the stranded whale began on Sunday morning, with authorities working tirelessly to assist the distressed animal. Despite their best efforts, the whale's condition deteriorated, and it ultimately succumbed to its injuries around 3 a.m. on Monday. The challenging water conditions posed a significant obstacle for the biologists attempting to aid the whale on Sunday.
Biologists will now conduct further investigations, including collecting samples to determine the cause of death. This process is expected to take several weeks before conclusive results are obtained. Venice, the location of the tragic incident, is situated approximately 75 miles (120 kilometers) south of Tampa.
