Stranded pilot whales: SeaWorld now caring for four surviving short-finned pilot whales

Meeting the nutritional needs of the patients is key. Specialists from FAU Harbor Branch and SeaWorld Orlando during a regularly scheduled feeding of a young short-fin pilot whale.
Photographer: Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute contributed photo, via tcpalm.com
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Posted: 09/05/2012

By: Associated Press

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Four young pilot whales that survived a stranding on a central Florida beach have been moved to SeaWorld Orlando.

   The short-finned pilot whales were moved Wednesday from Florida Atlantic University's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. The whales had been at the Fort Pierce rehabilitation center since Saturday.

   A pod of 22 pilot whales stranded Saturday on the beach at Avalon State Park in St. Lucie County. Seventeen of the whales either died of natural causes or had to be euthanized on the beach. A fifth juvenile whale brought to the FAU facility died Monday.

   At SeaWorld, the surviving whales are receiving round-the-clock care in quarantine. Experts say the animals are in guarded condition.

   SeaWorld also is caring for two other pilot whales that stranded last year in the Florida Keys.