Sperm Whale Stranded on Florida Beach Dies

A 44-foot sperm whale beached itself on a sandbar along Florida's Gulf Coast and died despite efforts to free it, drawing attention due to its rarity in the area. Wildlife officials will collect samples to determine the cause of illness and death, as sperm whales are typically found in deep waters and rarely venture close to shore. The last sperm whale beaching along the Gulf occurred in 2008, and the species is listed as endangered in the U.S.