Whale stranded off the coast of Venice

Reporter: Haley Zarcone Writer: Elyssa Morataya
Published: Updated:

A sperm whale was found beached off the coast of Venice on Sunday morning.

According to Mote Marine, the whale is located on a sandbar about 50 yards from Service Club Park.

Credit: Frankie Abbruzzino

Venice Police Department, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are all responding to the beached mammal.

VPD has closed the entrance to Service Club Park while Mote Marine and FWC work to assess the sprerm whale.

Credit: Frankie Abbruzzino

Whales are deep-diving mammals and typically beach themselves if injured or sick.

At this time, authorities are unsure why the whale is beaching. The whale is still alive at this time.

One Marine biologist with FWC said it’s likely the sperm whale will be euthanized before being moved to a facility for a complete necropsy.

The whale is approximately 50 feet long and weighs around 50,000 to 70,000 pounds.

At this time, FWC states the water conditions are too dangerous to approach the whale by boat to attempt to give the animal a sedative.

VPD asks civilians to avoid the area while authorities assess the situation. VPD also asks all vessels to stay out of the whale’s location.

The immediate vicinity of the sperm whale is restricted until further notice. Police will be present at the beach until Monday.

Credit: Frankie Abbruzzino

As of 5:30 p.m., recovery efforts have stopped. They will reconvene Monday morning at sunrise.

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