A critically ill whale found ashore on Manasota Beach is under the care of specialists at More Marine Laboratory today. It’s been identified as a melon-headed whale, which is common in deep tropical waters like the Gulf. And it has serious problems. Medical personnel at Mote say the whale has pneumonia and a broken jaw and is in critical condition. Mote Marine officials estimate the cost of caring for the whale could be as much as forty-five hundred dollars a DAY and are asking for donations to help out. The whale is being cared for in Mote’s Dolphin and Whale Hospital.
