The stranded whales, which fall into the dolphin family, have garnered a response from agencies like the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Chicago Zoological Society.
According to the NOAA, the death toll is at a staggering 81 with only one whale currently being declared alive at this point, and 13 unaccounted for.
95 false killer whales stranded off Hog Key, 81 dead, 1 seen alive, ~13 unaccounted for pic.twitter.com/rrltA7iVB6
— NOAA Fish Southeast (@NOAAFish_SERO) January 16, 2017
NOAA also says that this is the largest beaching of false killer whales in the history of the state.
The National Park Service has requested that those in the surrounding area limit their fly-overs and general boat traffic through the area where this heart-wrenching occurrence has come to fruition, as 13 whales are still being searched for by authorities.
Follow the NOAA Twitter account for the most up-to-date info on this story.
