Officials at a rehabilitation center have euthanized one of five surviving pilot whales that stranded last week off the lower Florida Keys.
The Marine Mammal Conservancy in Key Largo said the young, adult male whale had difficulty breathing, was not responding to treatment and was suffering.
A necropsy is planned. Another whale remains in critical condition. The other three are in stable but guarded condition.The center says it needs additional volunteers for the round-the-clock effort to help the animals. Rehabilitation efforts are expected to last at least two months.
Marine Mammal Conservancy: http://www.marinemammalconservancy.org
Copyright The Associated Press
