5th pilot whale found dead off Fla. coast

Associated Press

MIAMI (AP) — Authorities found a fifth dead pilot whale and two more beached on a sandbar off the southwest coast of Florida, even as the U.S. Coast Guard reopened boat traffic in the area.

The latest dead whale was found Tuesday morning. Two whales died and two others were euthanized Monday after beaching themselves near Fort Myers.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials say the two beached whales are listless and appear dehydrated and thin.

Another two dozen pilot whales off the coast of Collier County were last seen about two miles offshore Monday.

Pilot whales live in deep water, so when they swim inland it's usually a sign of toxicity or disease.

In December, more than 50 pilot whales were stranded in Everglades National Park. Some died.

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Information from: The (Fort Myers, Fla.) News-Press, http://www.news-press.com