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Necropsies planned for 2 pygmy sperm whales from Mote Marine

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By The Associated Press

Published: July 12, 2009

Necropsies will be performed on a pair of pygmy sperm whales found stranded off Florida's southwest coast.

The mother and calf were found Friday struggling in the mangrove stands off Kice Island, to the south of Marco Island. They were later euthanized at the Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota.

Officials say the mother whale was at least 10 feet long and weighed up to 1,500 pounds. The calf was about 6 feet long and weighed 150 pounds.

The necropsies will be performed at a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission laboratory in St. Petersburg. Research Associate Denise Boyd said Saturday that pygmy whales are typically found in much deeper water.

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