Young Pilot Whale Receiving Medical Care at SeaWorld

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 , ,

SeaWorld Orlando veterinarians and animal care experts are caring around the clock for Ava, an estimated four-year-old female pilot whale diagnosed with a bacterial infection. Ava was rescued during a mass stranding of pilot whales in September 2012. At the time she was estimated to be about 6 months old. The federal government determined that Ava was too young to be returned to the wild, so she came to SeaWorld Orlando who provided her with a home.


Over the weekend, Ava began showing signs of fatigue and loss of appetite. The veterinary staff and animal care teams have been closely monitoring her. Through a physical exam and analysis of diagnostic samples, veterinarians suspect Ava has an infection from a bacteria called Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. This bacterium is common in the marine environment and can cause serious illness in both wild cetaceans and cetaceans in zoological care. In some cases it can even be fatal.


SeaWorld Orlando is extremely happy to announce that Ava the pilot whale is showing signs of improvement, and it appears that she is on her way to making a full recovery. Ava’s appetite is increasing today, and we’re excited to say that she is now interacting with our trainers and the other whales.



Ava is a special part of the SeaWorld family, and beloved by all -- especially those who saved her life back in 2012 and care for her every day. SeaWorld appreciates all the positive thoughts and support.

PHOTO: © 2015 SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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2 comments:

  1. AnonymousSeptember 17, 2015 at 4:33 PM

    Then they will say he cannot go back in the wild, and another poor sea animal will have the shackles placed on them.

    Fast forward a few years and they will take him out back to the medical pool and shoot it in the head.

    We need to spread the truth!
    #blackfish #seaworldofhurt

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 17, 2015 at 9:34 PM

    Obviously you know nothing about Ava. Ava was rescued back in 2012 and the young age of 6 months old when there was a mass stranding on the coast of Florida of pilot whales. Unfortunately a lot didn't make it but three did. THE US GOVERNMENT (Not SeaWorld) deemed the animals not fit for release due to age and other reasons and then SeaWorld has provided them all with forever homes since then. Ava is just one of 28,000 animals SeaWorld has rescued for your information. She is doing great

    We need to spread the truth about anti cap activist and their crazy load of bologna "blackfish"
    #StandWithSeaWorld #SeaWorldCares #DontGetBlackfished

    ReplyDelete

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