- April 26, 2024
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A beaked whale washed up on shore on Flagler Beach by Gamble Rogers Park on March 24. Photo by Sierra Williams
Marine volunteers and local beachgoers worked together to keep the whale hydrated until marine animal rescuers could arrive. Photo by Sierra Williams
As high-tide was coming in, SeaWorld rescuers and volunteers attempted to move the whale further up on the beach. Photo by Sierra Williams
A Flagler Beach police officer kneels next to the whale after attempting to move it. Photo by Sierra Williams
SeaWorld Veterinarian Dr. Stacy DiRocco said there was no way to rehabilitate the beaked whale. Photo by Sierra Williams
The whale was estimated to weigh around 3,000 pounds. Photo by Sierra Williams
The whale had scarring on its underside but not sign of a recent injury. The round scars are most likely from cookie-cutter sharks, Hubbs research scientist Wendy Durden said. Photo by Sierra Williams
As high-tide was coming in, SeaWorld rescuers and volunteers attempted to move the whale further up on the beach. Photo by Sierra Williams
Hubbs research scientist Wendy Durden, left, helps measure the female beaked whale. She was 15-feet long. Photo by Sierra Williams
The Hubbs SeaWorld team was assisted by local marine volunteers and beachgoers in keeping the animal cool and comfortable. Photo by Sierra Williams
As high-tide was coming in, SeaWorld rescuers and volunteers attempted to move the whale further up on the beach. She was estimated to weigh around 3,000 pounds. Photo by Sierra Williams
Marine animal rescuers and local volunteers attempt to move the 3,000 pound whale. Photo by Sierra Williams
Though beachgoers and marine volunteers worked for hours to keep her cool, the whale was ultimately euthanized. Photo by Sierra Williams
The beaked whale, a deep-sea species, washed up on Flagler Beach at around 2 p.m. on March 24. Photo by Sierra Williams
A deep-sea whale that washed up on the shore near Gamble Rogers Park in Flagler Beach was euthanized after five hours stranded on Friday, March 24.
The whale — a 15-foot, adult female beaked whale — became stranded on shore at around 2 p.m. Local beachgoers and nearby marine volunteers tried to keep the mammal hydrated and cool while they waited on rescue teams to arrive, placing wet towels and pouring sea water on her.
Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute staff arrived at around 3 p.m. Unfortunately, Hubbs research scientist Wendy Durden said, on the rare occasions that deep-sea beaked whales are found stranded on shore, the animals are most often already dying.
It [was] a matter of keeping her comfortable. —Wendy Durden, research scientist at Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute
“They are not rehab candidates,” Durden said. “It [was] a matter of keeping her comfortable.”
The animal did not have any external injuries beyond old, healed scars on her underside, likely from shark encounters, Durden said.
Durden said beaked whales are not rehab candidates because there are no facilities that can accommodate the environment and diet that a beaked whale needs.
SeaWorld veterinarian Dr. Stacy DiRocco arrived at around 7 p.m. She said she assessed the mammal’s condition and ultimately decided to euthanize it.
“I think the best thing we can do is give it a peaceful end to its life,” DiRocco said.
DiRocco said she gave the whale anesthesia first to put her to sleep and then a combination of medications to euthanize. The whale died quickly, she said.
It is my responsibility and my job to try to give her a peaceful, respectful and humane end to her life. — Dr. Stacy DiRocco, SeaWorld veterinarian
“It is my responsibility and my job to try to give her a peaceful, respectful and humane end to her life,” DiRocco said.
Vacationers Marie Hesse, Anita Bennett and Linda Montague, who are all staying at Gamble Rogers State Recreation Area and come from different states, were among the beachgoers who stepped in to help keep the whale comfortable while waiting for SeaWorld staff to arrive.
Hesse said she initially thought the mammal was a dolphin, but could quickly tell something was wrong.
“It wasn’t acting right,” Hesse said. “It wasn’t swimming like a dolphin. … It just kind of stayed flat and kind of floating on the water.”
Hesse said they tried to help right away, but Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission officers told them to steer clear.
“Then the sea started just pummeling [her] in,” Hesse said. “It was so sad.”
Bennett said that finally someone from either the park or from Hubbs let them help. Bennett said she was tasked with keeping track of the animal’s breathing.
All three women said they were just glad they could try to assist.
“It was an extraordinary feeling to be able to try to help and see something like this,” Montague said. “This is rare.”
It was an extraordinary feeling to be able to try to help and see something like this. This is rare. — Linda Montague, Flagler Beach visitor
The whale’s carcass will be taken to a SeaWorld laboratory in Orlando for a complete necropsy, where researchers hope to learn more about the whale’s situation and her species in general, Durden said.
Beaked whales are deep-diving creatures that live very far offshore, Durden said.
This area has seen stranded beaked whales before, but it is rare.
Because the whales live in such deep waters, Durden said, researchers don’t know much about them.
The Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute responds to all whale and dolphin strandings in Brevard, Volusia and Flagler Counties. They are notified by FWC.
Durden said that if anyone ever sees a stranded, injured or dead marine animal, they should call the 24-hour FWC hotline at 1-888-404-3922.
