A 70-foot sperm whale became stuck on a sandbar off Florida's Gulf Coast on Sunday, sending crews into action to free it.
Police closed the entrance to Service Club Park while Mote Marine Laboratory and state wildlife workers worked to assess the whale, according to officials in Venice.
It was beached on a sandbar about 50 yards from shore.
Authorities said Sunday afternoon that the whale was alive and they were trying to free it before it was too late.
The Venice Police Department shared a video of the whale being hit by waves.
SCSO is currently assisting Venice Police and Mote Marine Laboratory with a beached whale just off the coast of Venice. pic.twitter.com/xVxcrbr2cv
— SarasotaSheriff (@SarasotaSheriff) March 10, 2024
Venice is about 75 miles south of Tampa.
Officials asked people to avoid the area.
