A beached beaked whale was found and removed from Anastasia Island on Thursday, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said.
The female whale was located on the north end of the island. A necropsy will be completed at a facility in Jacksonville, according to FWC.
The animal was the first beaked whale of the year to be found along local beaches. The deceased whale was approximately 14 feet and 8 inches long.
It's possible the whale was killed by a shark, as the animal had bites on its body.
A FWC biologist examined the whale and told First Coast News that it has 10 stomachs with objects inside that shouldn't be there. We were told that there are possible human-induced objects found inside the whale, including a citrus wedge and something along the lines of a small paint roller, FWC said. At this time, biologists haven't determined if the objects played a role in the whale's death.
The FWC said this reminds the public, however, that they should be mindful of their trash because animals could consume them.