Two pygmy killer whales stranded in Florida

[TheMightyOrca]

Pygmy killer whales ‘Thunder’ and ‘Lightning’ receive critical care at Mote | News & Press

They have been brought to the Mote Marine Lab for rehabilitation. This is only the second time that multiple pygmy killer whales have been found stranded together. They have shown no behavioral signs of being exposed to red tide toxins, but they are being tested for it.

 

[TheMightyOrca]

Stranded whales at Mote Marine Laboratory | News & Press

Both whales, along with a melon headed whale that was rescued a few days later, have died. It is not known if their strandings and conditions are related to the red tide bloom.

 

[UngulateNerd92]

I know that this is an old thread, but I would like to mention that on my last visit to the Mote Marine Laboratory which was in February of 2018, they didn't have facilities for cetaceans. I remember the space that was used for cetaceans was converted into exhibit space for North American river otters (Lontra canadensis), American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis), and Spectacled caimans (Caiman crocodilus). I wonder where Mote would have housed those Pygmy killer whales and Melon headed whales. I will say that I remember a staff member there telling me that they were planning to move their facility from Sarasota, FL to a new location in Bradenton, FL.