Rescued whale 'Fredi' dies at SeaWorld

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — A pilot whale, rescued by the SeaWorld Rescue Team in 2011, has died at SeaWorld Orlando, according to the SeaWorld website.

Fredi had an infection, which was being treated when she died. The other whales in Fredi's pod are being monitored for illness.

Pilot whale NOAA 301, known as Fredi, was one of 23 stranded whales near Florida's Cudjoe Key that the rescue team responded to.

That team was on-site for two months helping with rescue operations.

National Marine Fisheries Services (NOAA) and other rescue organizations were also on-site helping the stranded whales.

Initially eight whales survived, two were returned to the sea via barge, and 13 died on the beach, despite "tireless efforts of the dedicated teams."

SeaWorld notes that recovery and survival fort rescued sea creatures is "not always guaranteed."

Dr. Erin Fougeres, Marine Mammal Stranding Program Administrator for NOAA Fisheries shared the following statement:

SeaWorld veterinarians and staff provided critical care, treatment and trained handling experience for the 23 short-finned pilot whales mass stranded in Cudjoe Key in 2011, assisting local Stranding Network partners. Ultimately, thanks to SeaWorld and our Stranding Network partners, 2 of the whales were able to be immediately released back to the wild. When Fredi was deemed non-releasable by NOAA Fisheries after rehabilitation due to her very young age, SeaWorld provided her with a permanent home, where she has received outstanding care for the past 8 years.

For whales and dolphins that strand, full recovery is not always guaranteed. This pilot whale faced continued health issues since her initial stranding. In recent months her condition progressed, requiring advanced monitoring and care by the SeaWorld veterinary and animal care teams. Despite that full effort, her health and quality of life declined recently and she was no longer responding to treatment.

301 lived the past eight years at SeaWorld with a pod of rescued pilot whales and received world-class care and a second chance she would not have had otherwise and provided the rescue team with invaluable knowledge on how to respond to, and care for stranded animals.

She inspired millions of guests and her care team, and she will be deeply missed.

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