OFF THE FLORIDA KEYS--Five pilot whales, nursed to health by humanrescuers, were released Sunday into the Atlantic Ocean nearly fourmonths after they stranded themselves in shallow water off theFlorida Keys.
It is extremely rare for rehabilitated whales to be released intothe ocean, and Sunday was the first time that five whales stranded atonce have been released simultaneously in the United States, expertssaid.
Using a crane, a team of volunteers and marine experts beganworking before dawn to coax each of the whales onto a sling at theirholding lagoon and then lift them, one at a time, onto boats for the12-mile trip.
Once at the continental shelf, where pilot whales frequently swim,the five were lowered head first into the water. As the whales swamaway, dozens of people who had accompanied them on the boats cheered.
"There are no guarantees for any of them, but we feel we got themas close as we're going to," said Roy Crabtree of the NationalOceanic and Atmospheric Administration fisheries. AP
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