Key Largo Hotels Offer Pilot Whale Rehab Volunteers Special Rates

KEY LARGO (CBS4) -- Several Key Largo hotels are offering reduced-rate accommodations for visitors who want to join round-the-clock efforts to rehabilitate three surviving pilot whales recovering at the Florida Keys-based Marine Mammal Conservancy (MMC).

The "voluntourism" initiative is being aided with specially priced $69 (plus tax) per night rooms for visitors who volunteer at least one four-hour shift, good for up to five days Sunday through Thursday nights.

"This is your chance to make a difference," said Key Largo hotelier Adrian Besil, general manager of the Bayside Inn Key Largo. "Now you can come to Key Largo and be part of something unique. You have an opportunity to help save pilot whales that stranded in the Florida Keys."

Beth Painchaud, from Alpharetta, Ga., came to Key Largo on a scuba vacation with her family.

"I cannot believe I have the opportunity to hold and care for a whale," Painchaud said. "Whoever would have that in their lifetime? I couldn't not take advantage of that on vacation."

When a traveler completes a four-hour shift, MMC representatives award the volunteer a voucher that must be presented to a participating hotel to receive the special rate. Volunteers are encouraged to participate in multiple shifts.

There is a myriad of things to do for the 20-plus volunteers needed per shift at MMC.

Duties include supporting the whales while in the water (a minimum age of 18 is required), land-based activities such as answering phones, helping out in the fish kitchen, or around the site to keep it clean. Shore duties can be performed by teens under 18.

The MMC is located at mile marker 102.1 on the bayside.

The accommodations list and more details are available at www.fla-keys.com/volunteer.