4 stranded pilot whales treated at Fla. institute
Sep 4, 2012, 4:27 PM
MIAMI (AP) – Experts and volunteers are treating four young pilot whales that beached on Florida’s Atlantic coast.
The juvenile whales were among 22 short-finned pilot whales that beached Saturday at Avalon State Park Beach. The whales were still receiving around the clock care on Tuesday.
Two male and three female whales were brought to Florida Atlantic University’s Harbor Branch Institute after becoming stranded. Officials say one of the males had been stable Monday morning but died unexpectedly around noon.
The other whales, including one calf whose mother did not survive, show signs of inflammation and infection, but they are swimming on their own and accepting a thin fish formula fed through tubes every four hours.
It’s not known what caused Saturday’s stranding. Seventeen whales either died or were euthanized.
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