New details on euthanized sperm whale

Fort De Soto Park, Florida -- New information has been released regarding the sperm whale that swam into the mouth of Tampa Bay over the weekend.

Veterinarians euthanized the sick animal Tuesday. Biologists with Florida Fish and Wildlife helped and examined the sperm whale carcass at Fort De Soto Park.

Preliminary necropsy findings indicate the whale was emaciated and suffered from chronic illness.

The animal was likely an older female, approximately 30 feet in length.

Sperm whales are present year-round in deep water areas of the Gulf of Mexico. Typically, healthy sperm whales are not found near shore.

In the past 10 years, three other sperm whales stranded themselves on Florida’s west coast.