I just found out from my neighbor that a female dwarf sperm whale out 10 ft, who had just given birth came close to shore last night, at the Gulfview heights beach access. The sharks attacked the baby and her. She was vomiting I believe what is called ambergris, which is a dark waxy substance produce by the whale. It looks a little like blood. He said that she had some injuries too.
Officials were called and apparently the police shot her thinking she was bleeding and suffering.
My neighbor was on the beach for 3 hrs. and the TDC came in he said. (he volunteers for a group in Destin that protects the marine and wildlife) I was on the beach last night at sunset, and I am glad I missed it. Apparently there is going to be an investigation and it has become a national incident due to whether the whale should have been shot. The carcass was removed and brought to PCB Sanctuary for forensics.
MangoMangoSoWal InsiderNew York/ Santa Rosa Beach9,699 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider
MangoSoWal InsiderNew York/ Santa Rosa Beach9,699 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Insider14,458 views
Edited
Replies
54
ChandraChandraBeach FanaticPt. Washington347 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Fanatic
ChandraBeach FanaticPt. Washington347 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach FanaticThe deputy certainly deserves to voice his opinion as to the unfolding of events regarding the sperm whale.
All political correctness aside....
Blog post on sperm whale:
http://themouthofbabes.wordpress.com/
All political correctness aside....
Blog post on sperm whale:
http://themouthofbabes.wordpress.com/
Edited
jordanjamiejordanjamieBeach CrabTallahassee, FL4 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Crab
In the deputy's defense he was likely directed to shoot the whale by someone higher up and he is definitely not allowed to make a statement. The SO would never allow him to make a personal statement to defend himself (usually they are never allowed to make a statement but definitely not until after all investigation is over) which admittedly makes the officer look bad but it saves the SO which is what they care about.
These guys are not usually the brightest in the bunch, let's face it they have a dangerous job and don't get paid much for it. They're usually guys (and gals) that after high school wanted a reason to drive fast and they usually have control issues. I personally know one that has a God complex like I've never seen in another human.
I would bet large sums of money that they have absolutely no training in marine animals in relation to this statute and very little trainin on the statute in general other than "If you are presented with an animal that is in distress or aggressive you have to try to contact the owner or a vet or an animal agency and if you can't get those people then you can take appropriate measures" if they were even told that much. Most of the officers I've dealt w/ don't even know when they are supposed to read someone their Miranda rights (something they do every day) much less something like this that they are not likely to ever see.
Ignorance is not a defense for everything but you have to remember that these guys have to know a lot for a lot of varied situations and I wouldn't expect them to know something like this...and what are they supposed to do if their sergent tells them to do something.
These guys are not usually the brightest in the bunch, let's face it they have a dangerous job and don't get paid much for it. They're usually guys (and gals) that after high school wanted a reason to drive fast and they usually have control issues. I personally know one that has a God complex like I've never seen in another human.
I would bet large sums of money that they have absolutely no training in marine animals in relation to this statute and very little trainin on the statute in general other than "If you are presented with an animal that is in distress or aggressive you have to try to contact the owner or a vet or an animal agency and if you can't get those people then you can take appropriate measures" if they were even told that much. Most of the officers I've dealt w/ don't even know when they are supposed to read someone their Miranda rights (something they do every day) much less something like this that they are not likely to ever see.
Ignorance is not a defense for everything but you have to remember that these guys have to know a lot for a lot of varied situations and I wouldn't expect them to know something like this...and what are they supposed to do if their sergent tells them to do something.
Smiling JOeSmiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert
Smiling JOeSoWal Expert31,643 postsJoined View profileMessageSoWal Expert...Please be sure to don the leather skin. I think a particular poster will be replying as soon as she reads this. I guess you must be an attorney. ???
These guys are not usually the brightest in the bunch, let's face it they have a dangerous job and don't get paid much for it. They're usually guys (and gals) that after high school wanted a reason to drive fast and they usually have control issues. I personally know one that has a God complex like I've never seen in another human. ...
Edited
jordanjamiejordanjamieBeach CrabTallahassee, FL4 postsJoined View profileMessageBeach Crab
Law student. (Work for a crim defense firm now and previously at a U.S. Attorney's office, have been on both sides and have seen my fair share of jerk cops)
Checking your forum account
Please wait while we verify your forum account.