Feb 25, 2008 8:02 pm US/Eastern
Round The Clock Care For Pygmy Sperm Whale
Call 305-451-4774 For Information To Save The Whale
KEY LARGO (CBS4) ―
Medical mammal experts have run tests and drawn blood from a 10 ½-foot long pygmy sperm whale found stranded in shallow waters off the Florida Keys and they've also named the whale "Gage".
The male whale, which has been named "Gage" was discovered early Saturday off Islamorada. Rescue teams spent hours moving the whale into a truck and transported the animal to the Marine Mammal Conservancy in Key Largo.
The all-volunteer team at the Conservancy hopes to rehabilitate the mammal and eventually release it.
"We've taken blood work, cultures, sent off blood to test for viruses and have done an electro cardiogram," said Robert Lingenfelser, MMC president. "We've got endoscopes and ultrasound scheduled, so we still have a lot of testing to do on this guy to find out exactly what is going on."
Lingenfelser said the condition of the whale, estimated to weigh 1,000 pounds, is classified as "critical," though he was stronger Sunday and "swimming a little on his own." Lingenfelser told CBS4's Jade Alexander on Monday that "Gage" will remain listed in critical condition until the results of the tests return. In addition, he said, "Gage" is suffering from pneumonia.
"He's still dehydrated," he said, adding that experts may change the whale's medical status Monday afternoon. "We're giving him fluids every four hours and giving him a bit of a fish soup to start putting protein in him."
Animals like "Gage" do not drink salt water, they get all their fluids from the fish and in this case the squid and jelly fish he eats.
Meanwhile, Lingenfelser said that MMC volunteers would maintain a 24-hour watch on the whale in the Conservancy's rehabilitation lagoon. Volunteers will "work" four-hour shifts, round-the-clock, helping to support and comfort the whale.
"This will be an ongoing event, until whatever the outcome tends to be, which hopefully will be a full recovery and release," he said.
He added that pygmy sperm whale strandings along the Florida coastline are not uncommon.
According to the American Cetacean Society's Web site, average length for the species is 10 feet and maximum length of adults is 14 feet. The mammal may be found in all temperate, subtropical and tropical waters.
Volunteers are needed to come out and help hold the whale and donations are also being taken. Call
305-451-4774 or
click here if you are interested.
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