JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE: The young sperm whale stranded on the beach near Marineland has died.
Efforts to revive the whale were unsuccessful, and it was ultimately euthanized by someone with the Jacksonville Zoo, according to a member with UF Whitney Marine Lab who was on scene.
The whale is roughly 12 feet long, with small abrasions along his dorsal fin and back. Marineland said the calf washed up on the shore around 10 a.m. Wednesday. Marineland previously said its sea turtle team and veterinarian were on scene monitoring the whale. Sea World and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also were on scene.
UF Whitney Marine Lab says sperm whales are off First Coast, however, it is uncommon to see a young sperm whale without its mother so close to shore.
If anyone sees marine life stranded on the beach, it's important not to approach or touch the animal. Instead, they should call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's (FWC) Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-FWCC (3922)