Three short-finned pilot whales arrived at SeaWorld San Diego Monday after their rescue and rehabilitation at SeaWorld Orlando.
The whales, Ace, Ava and Piper, survived a 2012 mass stranding near Fort Pierce, Fla, according to the theme park.
The U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service found that the whales were calves when rescued. The officials determined they could not have survived in the wild if released so rescuers sent them to San Diego for long-term care.
To accommodate the seven-year-old male and two females, SeaWorld San Diego transferred two beluga whales to SeaWorld San Antonio.
“We’re more than thrilled and honored to welcome these pilot whales to their new San Diego home,” SeaWorld Curator of Dolphins and Pilot Whales Wendy Ramirez said. “We have a team of trainers focused on each whale to help them acclimate to their new environment. We’ve even brought some of their favorite toys from Orlando.”
The three whales will join the theme park’s other pilot whale, Argo, rescued in 2004 near Kamogawa, Japan. Officials sent Argo to San Diego in 2012, according to the theme park.
– City News Service
