Audio By Carbonatix
After beaching herself in the Florida Keys in May, a female pilot whale named “300” developed severe scoliosis during his rehabilitation at Sea World in Orlando. So, SeaWorld teamed with a Florida orthopedic surgery to create a special back brace for the whale.
The scoliosis meant that 300 could not properly use her tail, which impeded her ability to swim. Obviously, when you’re a whale, your swimming ability is of primary concern. So SeaWorld called up Jewett Orthopaedic Clinic and created a brace for the whale. Watch video of the poor whale, who clearly has a severely crooked spine, before the brace below:
While this if the first time such a device has been used on such a large whale, they hope that over time the whale’s spine will straighten out enough so she can regain her proper swimming ability.
When news happens, Miami New Times is there —
Your support strengthens our coverage.
We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to you. If Miami New Times matters to you, please take action and contribute today, so when news happens, our reporters can be there.
Hopefully the other whales won’t tease her, but we all know the gentle giants are nowhere nearly as cruel as middle schoolers.
Follow Miami New Times on Facebook and Twitter @MiamiNewTimes.
