By Jason Garcia
From: Orlando Sentinel
Photo: A second pilot whale that was stranded in the Florida Keys arrived at SeaWorld Orlando on Monday, September 12, 2011. (SeaWorld Orlando)
A second pilot whale stranded earlier this year in the Florida Keys arrived this morning at SeaWorld Orlando.
The animal, a 12-foot-long, 1,010-pound female and identified so far as “300,” was among 23 pilot whales that washed ashore in the lower Keys in early May. Authorities deemed her unfit for release back into the wild because she suffers from curvature of the spine and requires “intense physical therapy.”
A calf involved in the stranding, now named Fredi, was permanently relocated to SeaWorld earlier this summer. Two male whales involved the stranding were released, though the remainder died at the scene.
SeaWorld said its goal is to have the rescued animals join its other pilot whales, currently at SeaWorld San Diego, “in the near term.”
Read more: Orlando Sentinel
