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Often when a whale is found stranded on a beach, the first reaction of humans is to help return the whale to the sea. But returning a stranded whale back to the sea is not always the most humane course of action given that the whale may be injured or sick. In order to determine whether the whale is healthy and can be successfully returned to the sea it is necessary that a veterinarian or a trained expert assess the whale’s physical condition. If a stranded whale is considered to be healthy enough to return to the sea then its welfare should be of the utmost consideration when determining the best technique to use.
What should be done if a stranded whale is sick or injured?
In cases where a stranded whale is found to be unfit to return to the sea, the most humane course of action is to minimize its pain and suffering wherever possible through euthanasia. The animal’s welfare must be the highest priority in the decision making process.
What should happen to whale calves when the mother is stranded?
Occasionally, stranded whales have calves that strand with them or are left in the shallow water nearby. Unfortunately, young whales are highly dependent upon their mothers for survival as she provides them with nourishment through milk and protection from predators such as sharks. Before the calves of stranded whales are returned to the sea it is necessary to assess the likelihood of both the mother and calf’s survival. Only if both the mother and calf are declared fit to be returned to sea, should they both be released. If a mother is unable to be returned to sea, the most humane option is to euthanase the calf as it will not be able to survive without its mother.
What happens to a dependent whale calf if it is returned to the sea without its mother?
Some calves of stranded whales have been returned to the sea and have re-stranded a few days later in poor condition or their bodies have been washed up nearby. In such cases it is evident that sending a dependant whale calf back to the sea without the protection of its mother means that the calf is left to starve and is susceptible to attack by sharks. It is therefore clear that if a dependant calf cannot be returned to sea with its mother with a good prognosis for survival, it is more humane to minimise the pain and suffering of both mother and calf through euthanasia.
Further reading:
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