Beachgoers in South Florida were not ready for this sight as a 21-foot killer whale dies after washing up on a Florida beach.
The orca was discovered Wednesday in Palm Coast, just south of Jungle Hut Park, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. A local to the area called in the site first thing this morning but by the time crews arrived on the scene the animal was dead. Flagler County Sheriff posted videos on their Twitter of the Killer Whale.
Deputies are on scene south of Jungle Hut Park in Palm Coast after a 21-foot orca whale beached itself this morning. It has since lost its life. @SeaWorld and @MyFWC are also assisting with its necropsy and removal. Please avoid the area at this time.#FlaglerCounty #FCSO pic.twitter.com/HcDx0ns225
— FlaglerSheriff (@FlaglerSheriff) January 11, 2023
The incident marks the first time in history that a killer whale has been beached in the southeast region of the United States, says Dr. Erin Fougeres, administrator of NOAA’s Marine Mammal Stranding Program. Sheriff’s deputies and marine biologists from Sea World remained at the scene, where they’re expected to perform a necropsy on the whale.
According to the NOAA, Killer whales are the largest member of the dolphin family and the ocean’s top predator. There are roughly 50,000 killer whales globally and they live in every ocean in the world [Source CNN]
