Stranded Whale Death Toll Rises To 13

CUDJOE KEY (CBS4) -  A total of 13 whales have died after beaching themselves near Cudjoe Key late Thursday afternoon. That leaves 7 whales  in stable, but guarded condition.

Marine officials were forced to euthanize an ailing pilot whale Friday night.

Vets and volunteers are doing health assessments on them and are using feeding tubes to give Pedia-Lite, a hydration liquid for children, with water and food to the whales.

In addition, a Sea World rescue team is heading to Cudjoe Key to give their assistance. Even a group of monks chanted at the scene to help the whales.

"Right now, the sun is working against us," said Karrie Carnes of NOAA. "If these animals are potentially high and dry on the sand flats, it means that their skin is exposed and it needs to be wet."

Carnes said Thursday pilot whales are native to the area and tend to strand themselves in groups when they are disoriented, confused, sick or injured.

"Zinc is being applied to areas where they can't cover them with wet sheets and there's the potential for the animals which are out there that if they're exposed to the sun, their skin could potentially blister and it could be quite nasty," Carnes said.

It's critical that the remaining whales be found if they are to survive.

Volunteers have been leading the charge to help the injured mammals.

"It's a privilege for us," said Navy volunteer Jerry Flint. "It's a great big, beautiful animal."

Flint and 20 of his friends from the Navy rushed to the scene to offer their help. He and other volunteers are wading into the "sea pen" and holding on to the sick whales.

"Basically, you put a hand under one of the fins and one over the dorsal fin, and just kind of stabilize, keep them stable so they're not tipping over or floating down to the bottom so they can relax, recover and breath."

"I took off work today to come help and see what they needed us to do," said volunteer Shannon Kennedy. "They needed volunteers and we're here."

"It's a great feeling knowing you're helping the animals out," said UM student Aaron Higdon. "I felt really bad, like you saw them last night, they looked really bad being stranded, but they're doing a lot better it seems."

Officials will relocate any whales that survive to the MMC's rehabilitation facility in Key Largo.

"Here we have a bunch of whales who needed help from us, so we're just glad to be able to get out there and lend a hand," Flint said.

The rescue effort can use motivated volunteers. If you're interested, call 305 797 7275