Nature

Stranded Humpback Whale Calf Returns To The Sea After A Rescue Mission That Lasted Over 7 Hours

This is the moment a stranded baby whale manages to return back to the sea after a rescue mission that lasted more than seven hours.

The humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) calf was found stranded on a beach of the rural parish Ancocito in the province of Santa Elena in Ecuador on 9th of July.

Locals and personnel from the Puntilla de Santa Elena Coastal Marine Fauna Production Reserve (Remacopse) worked in coordination with the Ecuadorian Navy, the Salinas Fire Department and the Environmental Crimes Investigation Unit of the National Police of Ecuador in order to rescue the animal without causing any additional damage.

Officers with the help of the citizens trying to rescue the stranded humpback whale calf on the beach in Anconcito in Santa Elena in Ecuador on the 9th of July 2021. (@policia.ecuador/Newsflash)

During the rescue which followed the Marine Megafauna Stranding Attention Protocol, a pool was dug up around the calf in order to keep it hydrated and the area was fenced to avoid crowds gathering around the animal.

After a brief check-up, it was determined that the female whale calf had small lacerations on its pectoral fins and on its tail fin but was otherwise safe to be released.

The calf was then safely returned to sea after rescue and release activities which lasted more than seven hours.

Stranded humpback whale calf on the beach in Anconcito in Santa Elena in Ecuador on the 9th of July 2021. (@policia.ecuador/Newsflash)

Anderson Velasco, a Remacopse park ranger, pointed out that “This event occurred in the morning hours, so the Protocol for Attention to Stranding of Marine Megafauna was activated immediately.”

He said he hoped that she would find her mother quickly “because the longer she is away, the less chance she has of surviving”.

A statement issued to the public by the Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition explains that: “Stranding of marine species such as dolphins and whales are associated with natural events, most of them due to the animal’s state of health, and it may be sick, injured, old, senile or weakened by a difficult delivery.

Officers with the help of the citizens trying to rescue the stranded humpback whale calf on the beach in Anconcito in Santa Elena in Ecuador on the 9th of July 2021. (@policia.ecuador/Newsflash)

“It can also be due to disorientation due to water currents, looking for food, escaping from a predator, noise pollution, and/or fishing activities.”

The Ministry of the Environment, Water and Ecological Transition also reminds people and vessels that carry out whale watching to follow the regulations established for this purpose, in order not to alter the dynamics of these rare and endangered species.

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