RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
Dr. Gregg Levine, a volunteer veterinarian for the Hawaiian Islands Stranding Response Group, injected an antibiotic yesterday into one of two melon-headed whales being held in a tank at the Marine Base Hawaii at Kaneohe. Holding the whale were Dr. Robert Braun, left, president of the response group, and Brad Ryon, center, protected-resources management liaison for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The whales were discovered Tuesday off Hauula Beach Park.
Pair of rescued
whales improvingThe two are eating, drinking
and getting antibiotic injections
The two melon-headed whales rescued from Hauula Beach on Tuesday continued to improve yesterday under the care of volunteer professionals at the Kaneohe Marine Corps Base.
The whales have been swimming on their own in a 4-foot-deep, 20-foot-diameter pool since Tuesday evening, said Bob Braun, a veterinarian and president of the Hawaiian Islands Stranding Response Group.
The whales were rescued by beachgoers and other volunteers after stranding themselves off Hauula Beach Park on Tuesday morning.
Tests indicate that the adult males have elevated white blood counts and probably have an inflammation somewhere in their bodies, Braun said yesterday afternoon.
"The main area we are focusing on are their lungs and digestive tract," he said.
RICHARD WALKER / RWALKER@STARBULLETIN.COM
The two rescued melon-headed whales swam languidly in a tank yesterday at the Kaneohe Marine Corps base. The pair have been swimming on their own since Tuesday evening.
The whales each have taken in about four liters of water and at least one squid each and are getting antibiotic shots, Braun said. If they continue to improve, they may be moved to a section of a lagoon today, he said.
Braun said as many as 100 people are helping to take care of the whales, which are being kept in the Marine base's Marine Mammal Research rehabilitation facility.
