He said aquarium officials knew of no baby long-finned pilot whale surviving after being separated from its mother.

Meanwhile, aquarium officials decide to take three surviving whale calves to the aquarium.

- appeared just as aquarium officials were gearing up for a campaign to lure people to the Camden waterfront.

Dosed with antibiotics and steroids, the three are in good health, according to aquarium officials, although their long-term prospects are uncertain.

Attendance has fallen significantly this year, but aquarium officials say the drop was expected after a better-than-hoped-for beginning.

About half the aquarium's 279 full and part-time jobs are held by Camden residents, aquarium officials said.

The selection of Ms. Herring, who had been with the Wildlife Conservation Society, came after a search that included 250 applicants, aquarium officials said.

John Olguin, 89, American aquarium official, director of the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium (1949-1987).

But attendance has slipped this year and aquarium officials say improvements are needed to keep attracting visitors.

This is a wild animal, Ms. Weinstein said, and aquarium officials want to keep her that way.