A 18,000-pound sperm whale stranded itself on the shores of a beach in St. Lucie County over the weekend, and later died.
A crew with Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute monitored the mammal, which on Saturday was spotted washed ashore at Herman’s Bay Beach on Hutchinson Island.
Beachgoer Cristina Maldonado — an artist whose work is made with garbage and debris — posted pictures on her Instagram of the large, beleaguered animal that she said appeared to have a rope around its jaw.
One closeup shows black rope tightly wound around its gaping mouth. Yellow police tape surrounds the carcass.
According to a Facebook post from the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, a necropsy will be performed.
“The beach is closed today. She’s laying there alone,” wrote Maldonado of the 26.5-foot-long beast (which turned out to be male). “RIP beautiful whale.”
The cause of death may not be known for months, according a statement from to NOAA spokesperson Allison Garrett.
Source: https://www.miamiherald.com/
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