Pygmy sperm whale may become first of its kind in captivity

Chris O'Brien swims with Summer, an orphan pygmy sperm whale on Stock Island, Florida

September 17, 2000
Web posted at: 2:43 AM EDT (0643 GMT)

KEY WEST, Florida (AP) -- A baby pygmy sperm whale found stranded on a Key West beach might become the first of its species to live permanently in captivity because it might not be able to hunt for food.

Marine mammal experts will decide within the next few weeks whether Summer, a 205-pound, six-foot female whale found last June, can be released to its natural habitat.

Experts say the calf, who was never weaned by her mother, can't forage for food and possibly has a ruptured air sac on her head.

Though a ruptured sac isn't serious in captivity, it makes deep diving impossible. Pygmy sperm whales catch squid and jellyfish at depths of more than 800 feet. Veterinarians are planning an MRI to determine the air sac's condition.

If marine biologists decide that Summer can't be freed, the 11-month-old would be the only rehabilitated pygmy sperm whale in captivity. According to experts, the most time a baby pygmy sperm whale has lived in captivity after being stranded is 100 days.

The whale, named by handlers at Wildlife Rescue, has been living at a seaside nursery on Stock Island near Key West.

Copyright 2000 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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