Stranded Whale Rescued After Tourist Saves The Day

Story By: Alex Cope, Sub Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News

Video Credit: CEN/Fundacion Mundo Marino

This is the moment rescuers help a stranded whale back into the ocean after it was spotted by a tourist who alerted the authorities to save the day.

The incident occurred in Punta Rasa near the town of San Clemente del Tuyu in the south-eastern Argentine province of Buenos Aires after tourist Karina Pascuali spotted the beached dwarf minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata) measuring 3.4 metres and 500 kilogrammes.

Pictures Credit: CEN/Fundacion Mundo Marino

The tourist alerted the authorities and specialists from the Fundacion Mundo Marino (World Marine Foundation) and the Argentine Naval Prefecture went to the scene.

Biologist Sergio Rodriguez Heredia, who is the chief of the Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre at the World Marine Foundation said: “Like any other cetacean you straighten it out so that its blowholes aren’t below the water and stop it from browning.

Pictures Credit: CEN/Fundacion Mundo Marino

“In this case, we tried to float it using balancing techniques and we massaged it so that its cramping went away.”

He said the whale “responded satisfactorily and could return to the sea.”

Pictures Credit: CEN/Fundacion Mundo Marino

In the video, the rescuers can be seen working to move the whale onto a plastic float as they pour water into it.

They then move further out to sea before releasing the whale and celebrating its return to the ocean.

Pictures Credit: CEN/Fundacion Mundo Marino

Local media report swabs were taken from the whale’s eye and airways as well as blood samples. Vet Juan Pablo Loureiro saying “the results of the analysis showed dehydration and severe infection.”

Biologist Heredia said the whale’s beaching appears related to its illness but added the animal could have gone close to the shore “in search of food”.

Dwarf minke whales feed mainly on small lanternfish.

The ViralTab page is created by and dedicated to professional, independent freelance journalists. It is a place for us to showcase our work. When our news is sold to our media partners, we will include the link here.