Sperm whale in critical condition

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Feb 25, 2008

KEY LARGO, Fla. (AP) -- A pygmy sperm whale found stranded off the Florida Keys was in critical condition at a rehabilitation center on Sunday.

The 10 1/2-foot long male was discovered Saturday off Islamorada and transferred to the Marine Mammal Conservancy in Key Largo.

"We've taken blood work, cultures, sent off blood to test for viruses and have done an electrocardiogram," said Robert Lingenfelser, the center's president. "We've got endoscopes and ultrasound scheduled, so we still have a lot of testing to do on this guy to find out exactly what is going on."