Sperm Whale Washed Ashore - Venice Beach, Florida

On Sunday, March 10, 2024, a 45-foot sperm whale beached itself on a sandbar approximately 150 yards off the coast of Venice, Florida.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the Venice Police Department responded in an attempt to rescue the whale. Personnel stated that the whale's suspected disease process had progressed too far for it to be successfully released back into the Gulf of Mexico. Dangerous surf conditions prevented further assessment.
The whale had passed early Monday morning.
Personnel remained on scene to collect photographs and samples for research purposes. Early findings indicate it was an older male, underweight for its age.
Only about two whales are seen along the Gulf Coast each year. The last time a sperm whale was in Florida was 2008. Sperm whales are an endangered species.
On Tuesday afternoon, the whale's remains were returned to the Gulf of Mexico approximately 15 miles offshore.

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Too sad.