3 Strange Occurrences of Animals Washing Up On Florida Beaches
Imagine you’re spending the day at the beach with your family. Everything is perfect. The sun is shining, kids are playing, and the sounds of the ocean waves start to relax you. That is until crowds form around a huge washed-up animal on the shore. It’s a strange and rare occurrence. And it’s happened 3 times at 3 different Florida beaches this year.
Animals Washing Up Along Florida Beaches
Many have been following along since Sunday morning of the 44-foot sperm whale was beached up on a Florida sandbar. Beachgoers at Venice Beach crowded around the FWC as they assessed the situation. At first, the 70,000 pound whale was found alive, but severely underweight and struggling. Officials were not able to save the animal due to high & heavy surf. Gretchen Lovewell, Mote Marine Laboratory stranding investigations program manager told Fox 13 “We want to help so badly. We sat out here all day yesterday waiting for that opportunity and, unfortunately, it never came.” This is an extremely rare occurrence, the last time a sperm whale washed up in Florida was in 2008.
A research associate with the FWC Marine Mammal Program told the Herald-Tribune that the whale most likely beached itself because it was already dying, and had no energy to swim, according to USA Today.
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
February 2024, Pensacola FL
Another rare sighting of a washed-up great white shark happened in February. The pregnant shark was already dead when it washed up onshore in Navarre Beach. Officials gathered samples to send for a full pathology work up, but the shark was found with a fishing hook lodged in its jaw. These stranding’s are very sad to see but it does allow researchers to study an animal they rarely come in contact with.
Jellyfish Washing Up Along Southwest Coast
Whales, sharks, jellyfish, OH MY! Recent reports from the southwest coast say monstrous-sized, unusual-looking jellyfish have been spotted on shores from Marco Island to Fort Myers beach. While it’s not unnormal to spot jellyfish in Florida waters, this particular species is very rare for Southwest Florida. Dr. Rick Bartleson, a researcher at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), told WFLA “It’s not normal to see them around here as far as I know, but I’ve seen them in the northern gulf.”
The jellyfish have been identified as mushroom cap jellyfish. Which is good news for beachgoers because they typically won’t sting, and if they do it is very mild. Bartleson told WFLA that if you find one, try to put it back in the water because they don’t breathe air. It is a strange occurrence but no need to worry. It’s expected they are in these parts of water because of a sudden shift in currents.
This Florida Beach Is One Of The Worlds Most Dangerous Places To Swim
Chowpatty Beach
Chowpatty beach is located in India. It’s considered India’s most infamous beach. This is because there is so much garbage on the shore. Chowpatty has one of the most polluted sands in the world. You are putting your health at risk if you choose to get in the water.
Hanakapiai Beach
Hanakapiai beach is located in Hawaii. It’s considered a dangerous place to swim due to the powerful rip currents. The waves are known to sweep people out to sea. If a swimmer does get caught in a rip current, the safest shore area is 6 miles away. 83 people have drowned on this beach over the years!
Condado Beach
Condado Beach is located in Puerto Rico. Many people left reviews on trip advisor saying that Condado beach is “very nice but very dangerous.” The rip currents here scare people away. There are also big rocks which increase the danger of you getting hurt while swimming on this beach.
West End
West End is located on Grand Bahama Island and is said to have some of the most shark-infested beaches in the world. Most diving expeditions in West End guarantee an up-close sighting of Tiger sharks. Tiger sharks can grow and be about 16 feet long.
New Smyrna Beach, Florida
New Smyrna Beach is located in Florida and its one of the worlds most dangerous places to swim. New Smyrna is known as the shark attack capital of the world! If you come to this beach, be careful while surfing because Florida sharks will attack. The common sharks in New Smyrna are tiger, blacktop and spinner sharks!
