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Third Stranded Pilot Whale Euthanized, 2 Remain « CBS Miami
KEY LARGO (CBS4)- Officials at a Florida Keys-based marine mammal rehabilitation center Saturday euthanized the third of seven surviving pilot whales that stranded May 5 off the lower Florida Keys.
A female calf, in critical condition since the stranding, did not respond to treatment for kidneys that began failing several days ago, said Robert Lingenfelser, of the Marine Mammal Conservancy. Officials decided to relieve the whale of further suffering.
A necropsy is to be conducted by a MMC veterinarian and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries personnel.
One other whale remains in critical condition and one is stable.
Lingenfelser said volunteers are still needed to help rehabilitate remaining whales.
MMC personnel euthanized the first surviving pilot whale May 13 and a second May 25. Two were released two days after the stranding.
Volunteer Time For the Whales
Several Key Largo hotels are offering reduced-rate accommodations for visitors who want to join round-the-clock efforts to rehabilitate three surviving pilot whales recovering at the Florida Keys-based Marine Mammal Conservancy (MMC).
The voluntourism initiative is being aided with specially priced $69 (plus tax) per night rooms for visitors who volunteer at least one four-hour shift, good for up to five days Sunday through Thursday nights.
This is your chance to make a difference, said Key Largo hotelier Adrian Besil, general manager of the Bayside Inn Key Largo. Now you can come to Key Largo and be part of something unique. You have an opportunity to help save pilot whales that stranded in the Florida Keys.
Beth Painchaud, from Alpharetta, Ga., came to Key Largo on a scuba vacation with her family.
I cannot believe I have the opportunity to hold and care for a whale, Painchaud said. Whoever would have that in their lifetime? I couldnt not take advantage of that on vacation.
When a traveler completes a four-hour shift, MMC representatives award the volunteer a voucher that must be presented to a participating hotel to receive the special rate. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in multiple shifts.
There is a myriad of things to do for the 20-plus volunteers needed per shift at MMC.
Duties include supporting the whales while in the water (a minimum age of 18 is required), land-based activities such as answering phones, helping out in the fish kitchen, or around the site to keep it clean. Shore duties can be performed by teens under 18.
The MMC is located at mile marker 102.1 on the bayside.
The accommodations list and more details are available at Florida Keys & Key West vacation planning starts here with the Official Florida Keys Tourism Council.
Third Stranded Pilot Whale Euthanized, 2 Remain « CBS Miami
KEY LARGO (CBS4)- Officials at a Florida Keys-based marine mammal rehabilitation center Saturday euthanized the third of seven surviving pilot whales that stranded May 5 off the lower Florida Keys.
A female calf, in critical condition since the stranding, did not respond to treatment for kidneys that began failing several days ago, said Robert Lingenfelser, of the Marine Mammal Conservancy. Officials decided to relieve the whale of further suffering.
A necropsy is to be conducted by a MMC veterinarian and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries personnel.
One other whale remains in critical condition and one is stable.
Lingenfelser said volunteers are still needed to help rehabilitate remaining whales.
MMC personnel euthanized the first surviving pilot whale May 13 and a second May 25. Two were released two days after the stranding.
Volunteer Time For the Whales
Several Key Largo hotels are offering reduced-rate accommodations for visitors who want to join round-the-clock efforts to rehabilitate three surviving pilot whales recovering at the Florida Keys-based Marine Mammal Conservancy (MMC).
The voluntourism initiative is being aided with specially priced $69 (plus tax) per night rooms for visitors who volunteer at least one four-hour shift, good for up to five days Sunday through Thursday nights.
This is your chance to make a difference, said Key Largo hotelier Adrian Besil, general manager of the Bayside Inn Key Largo. Now you can come to Key Largo and be part of something unique. You have an opportunity to help save pilot whales that stranded in the Florida Keys.
Beth Painchaud, from Alpharetta, Ga., came to Key Largo on a scuba vacation with her family.
I cannot believe I have the opportunity to hold and care for a whale, Painchaud said. Whoever would have that in their lifetime? I couldnt not take advantage of that on vacation.
When a traveler completes a four-hour shift, MMC representatives award the volunteer a voucher that must be presented to a participating hotel to receive the special rate. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in multiple shifts.
There is a myriad of things to do for the 20-plus volunteers needed per shift at MMC.
Duties include supporting the whales while in the water (a minimum age of 18 is required), land-based activities such as answering phones, helping out in the fish kitchen, or around the site to keep it clean. Shore duties can be performed by teens under 18.
The MMC is located at mile marker 102.1 on the bayside.
The accommodations list and more details are available at Florida Keys & Key West vacation planning starts here with the Official Florida Keys Tourism Council.
