Washed-up whale in St. Johns County had plastic shopping bag in its stomach | firstcoastnews.com

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ST JOHNS, Fla. — A whale’s chances of living were greatly reduced because of a plastic bag found inside its stomach.

A dwarf sperm whale calf stranded on a St. Johns County beach in September.

The four-foot-long, emaciated calf was located on Butler Beach. He was still alive but was later humanely euthanized.

According to Nadia Lentz, a marine mammal assistant research scientist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, "During the necropsy, a large plastic bag was found in the emaciated calf’s stomach, which obstructed digestion. This obstruction led to multiple ulcerations, a false sense of satiation, and progressive debilitation, which is suspected to have caused the stranding."

Conservation groups such as Oceana are calling for stricter regulations to reduce plastic production.

Hunter Miller with Oceana told First Coast News, “We as individuals and consumers have a role to play. But really our elected officials from the local to our federal elected officials have a big role in reducing the amount of plastic that’s being produced and finding solutions to more sustainable options."

Miller said recycling is not an "adequate solution to the plastic pollution crisis."

This whale case is only one example animals – in our local area – that have negatively impacted by plastic.

The FWC encourages people to securely dispose of trash.

"Properly disposing of trash could have been prevented this outcome. Your actions can make a difference in keeping Florida clean and reducing risks to marine life," Lentz' email said. "Secure and properly dispose of trash, participate in coastal cleanups, and share information on how to reduce marine debris with others."

FWC states: If you encounter a stranded marine mammal, please do not push it back into the water. Instead, call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 1-888-404-3922 and wait for instructions about how to assist safely. Marine mammals often strand because they are sick or injured and pushing them back could delay examination and treatment, and often results in the animal re-stranding in worse condition.