According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, dozens of false killer whales have died after stranding themselves in the Gulf of Mexico, west of the Florida Everglades.
- Dozens of false killer whales died after stranding themselves in Gulf
- Rescue teams tried to herd dolphins into deeper waters, but failed
- 81 of the animals died or were euthanized by Monday afternoon
The Coast Guard had confirmed sightings on Saturday of the black dolphins in the shallows on the western edge of Everglades National Park, according to Blair Mase with the NOAA.
NOAA briefing on stranded whales-southeast stranding network received report of whale swimming off Hog Key in Everglades Saturday afternoon pic.twitter.com/AL4KVAZrJr
— NOAA Fish Southeast (@NOAAFish_SERO) January 16, 2017
False killer whales are not directly related to the killer whale, but rather a large member of the dolphin family.
Their similarity to killer whales is the shape of their skull. The scientific name means "thick-tooth," referring to their pointed teeth and fierce, predatory behavior in the open seas, according to Oceana.
False killer whale stranding-area around scene in Everglades closed per the National Park Service-asking for no flyovers or boats for safety pic.twitter.com/XMHhTcsFMf
— NOAA Fish Southeast (@NOAAFish_SERO) January 16, 2017
Rescue teams tried to herd the black dolphins into deeper waters, but that attempt failed, Mase reported.
NOAA said rescue teams faced many challenges off Hog Key, including sharks in the water and thick mangroves that ensnared the dying animals.
By Monday afternoon, 81 of the animals had died or been euthanized. Over a dozen more were believed to have been stranded but had not been found.
95 false killer whales stranded off Hog Key, 81 dead, 1 seen alive, ~13 unaccounted for pic.twitter.com/rrltA7iVB6
— NOAA Fish Southeast (@NOAAFish_SERO) January 16, 2017
It's still unclear what caused the stranding.
Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.