Clearwater Marine Aquarium rescued a beached 8-foot whale from a beach in Indian Shores Friday morning.
- Unknown how melon-headed whale got stranded
- Melon-headed whales uncommon near shore, native to Gulf of Mexico
- Whale transported to SeaWorld Florida after 10 a.m.
Officials with the Aquarium said they responded to where the whale, classified as a Melon-Headed Whale, was beached in Indian Shores around 6:45 a.m. Friday.
A CMA rescue biologist led the rescue efforts, working in conjunction with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and National Marine Fisheries Services personnel.
The team worked to stabilize the adult male whale, then after 10 a.m. transported it to SeaWorld Florida.
It is not known at this time how the whale got stranded on the beach.
No further information has been released.
All photos featured taken acknowledging the following – stranding response conducted under stranding agreement between NMFS and Clearwater Marine Aquarium under the authority of the Marine Mammal Protection Act.