81 false killer whales die in Everglades mass stranding

MONROE COUNTY, Fla. — Wildlife officials are working to save false killer whales stranded in an area of Everglades National Park.

NOAA Fisheries reports the 95 whales were reported stranded off Hog Key on Saturday afternoon.

The agency tweeted earlier Monday that 81 of the whales are dead, one has been seen alive and 13 are unaccounted for.

NOAA and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission have asked for boaters and aircraft to stay away from the area.

False killer whales are named for their resemblance to orcas. They are members of the dolphin family and range in size from 15 feet to 20 feet. In adulthood, false killer whales can weigh approximately 1,500 pounds.

The whales have a small conical head without a pronounced rostrum. Their dorsal fin is tall and their pectoral flippers have a distinctive hump or bulge in the middle of the front edge.

Like pilot whales, false killer whales have dark coloration except for some lighter patches near the throat and middle chest.

The Palm Beach Post contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group