A beached 30-foot sperm whale near Tampa , Florida , attracted hundreds of onlookers Thursday afternoon as biologist decided to euthanize the animal , according to CNN affiliate WTSP . Sperm whales are rarely seen close to shore , and this whale appeared to be emaciated , according to biologists . Because the large whale would n't have been able to survive on its own , veterinarians from the University of Florida decided to euthanize it . They gave the whale a strong sedative before administering a drug by plunging a 6-foot needle into the whale 's chest cavity to stop its heart . `` Although it looks large and scary , it is a very humane thing to do , '' said Erin Fougeres , a marine mammal biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . She added the technique has been used many times before on large whales . The whale carcass was towed away , and scientists plan a necropsy on Friday .
A 30-foot sperm whale beached itself near Tampa , Florida . Sperm whales rarely come so close to shore ; it 's usually a sign of distress . Scientist decided to euthanize the whale because it would not survive on its own .