Law enforcement officials say wildlife crews are working to free a sperm whale beached off Venice, Florida, but hope is fading. The whale is beached “on a sandbar about 50 yards out from Service Club Park,” Venice police said in a Facebook post on Sunday morning. Police closed the entrance to the park as teams from Mote Marine Laboratory and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission work to reach the whale. According to the state’s website, sperm whales are the largest toothed whale species, with females growing up to 36 feet long and males up to 52 feet. Sperm whales are now protected as an endangered species, the website says.

Source: CNN March 10, 2024 20:46 UTC