Stranded Pilot Whales to Be Freed Within Weeks

Five pilot whales that stranded themselves in the Florida Keys more than two months ago are ready to be returned to the wild, federal marine biologists have decided.

The pilot whales -- four adults and one calf -- have been recovering in a natural lagoon under the 24-hour watch of volunteers since they were found in shallow water April 18.

National Marine Fisheries Service officials said it would take two to three weeks to get the whales ready. They must be conditioned to eat on their own, exercise more and depend less on humans for assistance, said Laura Engleby, a fisheries service marine biologist.