Many weeks after reporting about a mass standing of pilot whales in the Lower Keys, Marine Connection has heard that there is the possibility the future of the healthiest survivor will be made in the near future and it may not be good news. The smallest whale, known as 301, is reaching the point where it is relatively healthy and stable, swimming on her own and making real progress.

However the concern is whether she will be returned to her natural environment or end up the rest of her life in captivity, her age is not known but based on how she looks and some behavioural characteristics, it appears to be a dependent calf. If the decision is made that 301 cannot be released, marine-mammal parks such as Sea World may have the offer to take her due to the fact they already hold captive pilot whales at their facility SeaWorld in San Diego, Calif. They will like all others have to apply to have the animal and the decisions concerning the future of the juvenile will be made by National Marine Fisheries Service but it is pretty certain whale 301 will eventually be transferred to San Diego. SeaWorld is the only facility in the U.S. with pilot whales.

Only one other whale, an adult known as 300 is still in rehabilitation at the Key Largo site. Both whales were part of the group that stranded early May off Cudjoe Key. Most died at the scene, but two males were released after being deemed healthy enough to survive.