Asia

Pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps)

(MML 0603)

Age Class Adult
Gender Female
Date Stranded January 27, 2006
Location of Stranding Longboat Key
Date of Arrival January 27, 2006
Number of Days of Care 0

Final Disposition

Euthanized

 

Staff and volunteers carrying whale from beach for transport to Mote

This whale stranded on Longboat Key.  It was seen with another whale in the area, possibly a calf.  An electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) indicated cardiac changes consistent with cardiomyopathy, a common heart problem with this species.  Since no treatment was possible, the animal had to be euthanized.  A full necropsy revealed one of the most severe cases of cardiomyopathy seen at this facility, plus a number of other issues involving the liver and intestines.

Happening at Mote

Fin Fact

Green morays (a type of eel) are actually blue. They have a yellow slime on their bodies that make them appear green.

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