70-foot beached whale stranded off of Venice coast

VENICE, Fla. (WFLA) — Sarasota County law enforcement is working to help a whale that was stranded off the coast of Venice, Florida.

According to the Venice Police Department, officers and Sarasota County deputies are working with the Mote Marine Laboratory to save a 70-foot whale that was beached 50 yards away from Service Club Park.

As of 7:20 p.m., the City of Venice said the whale is still alive but has labored breathing. FWC biologists will resume their efforts on Monday due to high winds and surf.

Mote Marine Laboratory confirmed that the whale is a sperm whale.

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The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission said it is going to collect samples to determine what made the whale sick.

However, around 4 p.m., the City of Venice announced that the water conditions were “too dangerous” for the FWC to approach the distressed whale by boat to give the animal a sedative.

The city said another assessment will be made at low tide, shortly before 7 p.m. Sunday, but officials aren’t optimistic about the result.

“Unfortunately, it appears this will likely be a recovery effort as nature takes its course,” the city wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The whale is estimated to weigh approximately 50,000 to 70,000 pounds.

VPD is asking all vessels to stay out of the whale’s area at Service Club Park. Civilians are also advised to avoid the area.

The city said there will be a police presence at the beach overnight into Monday.

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