The last two of five pilot whales that beached themselves earlier this week off Florida’s Gulf coast have been released back into the sea.
Rescuers from Clearwater Marine Aquarium transported the pair of short-finned pilot whales 20 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday after they were cleared for release.
The aquarium, famous as the home of Winter the Dolphin, was called on after the mass stranding on Reddington Beach on Monday morning to assist in the initial rescue of the five whales along with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission.
Three of the five were transported back to sea on Monday while these two were brought to the aquarium for rehabilitation.
The aquarium stated it was the organization’s first pilot whale rescue, rehab and release.
The organization posted more photos of the successful release on its Facebook page.
