Distressed pygmy sperm whale assessed by wildlife official as public watches at Port Canaveral boat ramp
© Derrol NailDistressed pygmy sperm whale assessed by wildlife official as public watches at Port Canaveral boat ramp
Officials were unable to save a whale that beached itself in Port Canaveral on Monday. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Brevard County Sheriff's Office were on the scene assisting in the rescue efforts.

Officials say the adult pygmy sperm whale, approximately 10 feet in length, was in "bad condition"when spotted by some passing fishermen.

The fishermen notified FWC officials, who brought the sick and injured animal to the public boat dock, so it could be evaluated by a marine veterinarian from the University of Florida.

The mammal was thin, weak, and was suffering from wet respirations, a symptom of congestive heart failure in whales.


A crowd of onlookers, who were hoping to witness a whale rescue, watched as veterinary staff euthanized the sick animal. After the whale was euthanized, it was taken away for a full necropsy, which the veterinarian said is the one positive outcome.

All of the animals tissues and organs, along with a blood sample from the animal while it was alive, will be sent off to researchers around the world.
Distressed pygmy sperm whale assessed by wildlife official as public watches at Port Canaveral boat ramp #Fox35 pic.twitter.com/DVCmLnYMSP— Derrol Nail (@Fox35DerrolNail) September 26, 2016