Community Corner
Beached Sperm Whale Stranded On FL’s Gulf Coast: Venice Police
A 50-foot beached sperm whale is in distress at Service Club Park in Venice "as nature takes its course," police said.
Updated: 12:37 a.m., Monday
VENICE, FL — A beached 50-foot sperm whale was “in distress” Sunday at Service Club Park in Venice, authorities said.
The whale was stranded on a sandbar about 50 yards out from the park, the Venice Police Department wrote in a Facebook post.
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Venice police and the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office assisted Mote Marine Laboratory staff with the large mammal, which weighs between 50,000 and 70,000 pounds, after it was discovered Sunday morning.
Access to the beach is restricted and vessels are asked to stay out of the whale’s area. There will be a police presence at the beach overnight.
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Because water conditions were too dangerous, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission was unable to reach the whale by boat to give it a sedative, according to police.
While the whale was still alive as of late Sunday evening, “it appears this will likely be a recovery effort as nature takes its course,” police wrote. The whale was experiencing "labored breathing."
FWC biologists will respond to the whale Monday if the winds and surf improve.
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