Stranded melon-headed whale being cared for by SeaWorld Orlando

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Stranded melon-headed whale being cared for by SeaWorld Orlando

Updated: Monday, 31 Oct 2011, 7:15 AM EDT
Published : Monday, 31 Oct 2011, 7:15 AM EDT

A juvenile melon-headed whale that was found stranded on Manasota Key on the west coast of Florida is recovering at SeaWorld Orlando.

On Friday an animal rescue team from SeaWorld Orlando, working with experts from Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, Fla., transported the whale from Mote Marine Laboratory’s Dolphin and Whale Hospital to SeaWorld’s Cetacean Rehabilitation Facility where it will receive long-term care.

The whale was found stranded October 23 on Manasota Key. The whale, nicknamed Dante by Mote staff, received around-the-clock medical care at Mote, which stabilized its condition and allowed veterinarians to begin treating the animal for pneumonia and gastroenteritis.

Once the animal was stabilized — and with the approval of the federal agency that oversees the care and protection of marine mammals — Dante was transferred today to SeaWorld Orlando, which has a new pool and larger facilities required to support Dante’s need for longer-term rehabilitation.

The whale – about six and a half feet long – seemed comfortable after the trip and was acclimating to his new pool. SeaWorld vets will take blood samples and staff will monitor the young whale. The park’s experts are cautious about the animal’s prognosis but credit the animal’s good condition to the quality of urgent care received at Mote.

Melon-headed whales are normally found in deep, tropical waters including the Gulf of Mexico. Adult melon-headed whales can grown to nearly 10 feet in length and more than 400 lbs.

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Stranded melon-headed whale being cared for by SeaWorld Orlando