During that time, I was coordinating with veterinarians and other groups around Florida to mobilize and get to the scene so that we could mount a response as humanely and quickly as possible for this whale, Mase told TCPalm Monday.
When the whale came ashore, it was extremely emaciated and had some rope around its lower jaw, Mase said. By the time veterinarians arrived, the animal had died.
Responders sometimes will euthanize a sick or dying whale, but it s a case-by-case basis and depends on whether the animal can be rehabilitated, according to NOAA.
Veternarians conducted a necropsy an autopsy for animals and took blood samples. A further inspection of the whale found more rope in its esophagus and stomach, Mase said. An investigation is underway to determine if that killed the animal.
Researchers working to determine cause of death for beached sperm whale in SLC tcpalm.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tcpalm.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.