Expert: Orca found in Flagler County is first ever recorded stranding in Southeast United States

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — An Orca was found beached in Palm Coast on Wednesday morning, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

The 21-foot whale reportedly beached itself south of Jungle Hut Park and has since died. Deputies, SeaWorld and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are on scene assisting with the removal.

Derek Pence, has lived in palm coast for a few years and takes his morning beach walks just about everyday.

Pence still can’t get over what he witnessed.

“We saw something propped up in the water it was large it was about 25 feet off shore as we got closer we could tell it was a whale,” said Pence.

Pence took a video of the Orca and says he called FWC immediately.

Agencies were called out to flagler beach to help out with the recovery.

Southeast region marine mammal stranding coordinator with NOAA, Blair Mase, says the Orca is an adult female and she weighs 5-6 thousand pounds.

Mase says the Orca did suffer cuts on its body, and by looking at the video pence took the Orca appeared to be alive before washing up on shore.

“We’ve never had a stranding so that’s what’s so unusual. We’ve never actually had one beach itself. So it’s extremely rare and our job is to find out potential cause of death and get as much information as possible from this animal,” said Mase.

Mase says there have been Orca sightings recorded in the gulf stream, Atlantic coast, as well as the Gulf of Mexico.

“Our job is to find out why it died and what are the potential cause of deaths. We won’t know if it’s natural or potentially human caused and that’s our job to rule things in or out and at that point we can determine if there’s cause of concern,”said Mase.

The Killer Whale has no visible signs of injury, according to a SeaWorld worker who was at the scene. The cause of death is unknown, at this time, and will be determined during the necropsy.

The whale was taken in a refrigerated truck and driven to SeaWorld Orlando for the procedure.

Credit: FCSO
The 21-foot whale reportedly beached itself south of Jungle Hut Park and has since died.

Credit: FCN

Dead orca in Flagler County

Related Posts

Single Dad of Two Girls Wakes up to Prepare Breakfast for His Daughters, Finds It Already Cooked…

Jack, a single father balancing work and raising two young daughters, never expected to find homemade pancakes on his kitchen table one morning. When he discovers the…

How the girl takes off her shirt in the elevator Hidden cameras captured it.

How the girl takes off her shirt in the elevator Hidden cameras captured it.

Garth Brooks Stops Concert Mid-Song To Dedicate Moment To Teresa Shaw, A Cancer Patient Who Fought To Watch Him Perform

A Heartfelt Moment Between Garth Brooks and a Brave Fan If you’re someone who gets moved by the power of love and human connection, then this story…

Woman with 800 tattoos shares new photo of herself without any ink. She has completely covered up all of her tattoos, and the contrast is striking!

For the past ten years, Melissa Sloan, a British mother, has been transforming her appearance with tattoos. With over 800 tattoos covering her body, she has made…

Brittпey Griпer aпd Whoopi Goldberg Decide to Leave America: “We Are Not Appreciated Eпoυgh”-nhuy

Iп a stυппiпg tυrп of eveпts, two of the most iпflυeпtial womeп iп Americaп sports aпd eпtertaiпmeпt — Brittпey Griпer aпd Whoopi Goldberg — have pυblicly aппoυпced…

Shocking Revelation: Elon Musk Announces Date For ‘The Big Contact’ – Get Ready For A World-Changing Event!

The world is about to be rocked by a revelation that promises to completely change our understanding of the universe and humanity. Elon Musk, the visionary behind…

Leave a Reply