SeaWorld Given Permission To Take Sick Keys Whale

ORLANDO (CBS4) – The last pilot whale remaining at Key Largo's Marine Mammal Conservancy rehab facility from a mass stranding last May will soon be on its way to SeaWorld Orlando.

On Friday, the park received approval from the National Marine Fisheries Service to the house the whale.

The whale is a 1,200-pound, 13-foot-long female and will be treated for a spine curvature, muscle disease and bacterial pneumonia. Park officials said the whale was deemed unfit to return to the wild.

Officials say they expect the whale to be transferred to the theme park sometime within the next 30 days where it will then be under 24-hour care.

Last month SeaWorld received a 2-year-old pilot whale after it washed ashore. It is currently still receiving treatment.

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