Massive sperm whale the size of a SCHOOL BUS dies after getting stranded on Puerto Rico beach



An enormous sperm whale that had become stranded just off Puerto Rico's northern coast died on Saturday after becoming unable to return to the water.

Marine biologist Antonio Mignucci, of the Manatee Conservation Center at Puerto Rico's Interamerican University, said rescuers who rushed to the marine mammal's side were unable to save her.



According to Mignucci, an autopsy is planned to determine what caused the death of the adult female.

Stranded giant: The female sperm whale had become beached on the Puerto Rican coast on Saturday

Heavy-duty: A bulldozer dragged the stranded marine mammal after rescuers failed to save her

Sad sight: Onlookers took pictures of the deceased whale (right) before her body was removed by heavy equipment (left)



The whale weighed about 15,000 pounds and was 35 feet long. Mignucci estimated her age at between 20 and 40 years.

The unlucky sperm whale was first spotted early Saturday just off the coast near the town of Luquillo - a community of about 20,000. She died about five hours later.

Massive: Scientists measured the dead whale, which turned out to be 35 feet long

Uphill battle: Rescuers attempted to save the mammal when she was discovered stranded on Saturday in Luquillo, Puerto Rico

Many of the town’s residents rushed to the shore to gaze on and take pictures of the giant stranded mammal the size of a school bus.

Her enormous body was later removed from the beach with the help of a bulldozer.



Sperm whales inhabit the deep ocean near Puerto Rico from January through about August.



Final push: Volunteers tried to keep the whale hydrated and push her out to sea, but she died five hours later

Sperm whales are the largest toothed whales. Adult males grow to be about 50-60 feet long, weighing about 40-50 tons. Females are smaller, about 33-40 feet at 14-18 tons.



The giant animals have a life expectancy of over 70 years.



The mammal’s name comes from the valuable spermaceti oil that the whale produces in the spermaceti organ located in its head.

