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Body Of Sperm Whale Found Off Key Largo

KEY LARGO (CBSMiami/AP) — The body of a 35-foot-long sperm whale was towed 10 miles of the Florida Keys to Gulf Stream after being discovered near Key Largo Thursday.

Officials with the Marine Mammal Conservancy responded along with officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

MMC officials estimated the whale likely died in much deeper water at least two days ago and drifted in. They obtained skin and blubber samples that are to be examined in an effort to determine a cause of death.

Sea Tow Key Largo volunteered to drag the deceased whale offshore. The Gulf Stream current should carry the carcass well offshore, where much of it is likely to be consumed by predators.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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