Beached whale’s cause of death still undetermined

By CRA News Service

Scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are still trying to figure out what killed a sperm whale that washed ashore in Spanish River Park recently.

“We don’t have any results yet,” said Allison Carrett, a NOAA spokeswoman. “It could take weeks or months.”

Carrett also said they have not been able to determine whether the whale was a male or female.

The 30-foot endangered mammal appeared to have been attacked by sharks floating off shore before the tide washed it in on Jan. 10.
The mammoth creature’s carcass, which was decomposed, is estimated to weigh more 20 tons, and was too heavy to be moved.

Scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration plan left the animal overnight and brought it to the lab in Miami the following day.