KEY LARGO, Fla. (AP) — Five surviving pilot whales of a mass stranding off the lower Florida Keys are now in a Key Largo rehabilitation center, where they’ll receive long-term treatment.
Officials say the whales arrived at the Marine Mammal Conservancy on Tuesday in a temperature-controlled semi-trailer normally used to transport food. Accompanied by responders, including two veterinarians, the animals rode on padded mats and were kept wet during the 82-mile trip from a temporary sea pen.
Three of the whales are in stable, but guarded condition, while the other two are critically ill.
Officials say rehabilitation could take months.
More than 500 volunteers have helped since some 21 pilot whales stranded May 5. All the others animals died.
