A young humpback whale that washed ashore Saturday in Oregon had to be euthanized after two days of rescue efforts.
The whale, a roughly 1 to 2-year-old humpback, had surfaced near San Marine entangled in crabbing gear, witnesses and local officials told NBC affiliate KMTR in Eugene. Officials hoped Monday’s high tide would help the 26-foot juvenile whale, estimated to weigh between 30,000 and 40,000 pounds, propel itself back out to sea.
When the whale remained stranded after the tide came in, and after being beached for 45 hours, it was humanely euthanized, according to a social media post by Discovering Depoe Bay Oregon.
“If love alone could have lifted this whale back into the sea, it would have,” the organization posted on social media. “This community has come together for one whale in a way that the world needs more of.”
Authorities warned the public to keep their distance, as approaching the whale posed risks to both people and first responders and causes stress to the animal.
“Whales were designed to live in the water and a beached whale therefore is not [buoyed] up by the water, so the internal organs are being compressed, which is causing additional complications. This in itself can be life-threatening to the whale,” marine biologist Carrie Newell said in a statement. “Additionally, whales are covered by a thick layer of blubber which holds heat in the body. In the ocean, this is essential. When beached on land, they can overheat.”
The whale was given fluids and vitamins on Sunday night for an energy boost. Ahead of Monday’s tide, officials attempted to improve the whale’s chances of escape but were unable to reposition it using a harness and pulley.
Options were limited given the difficulties in maneuvering a 40-ton whale.
“It is practically impossible to tow a whale of that size out to sea,” Newell said. “It would do damage to the whale pulling it out and the boats do not have enough power or [maneuverability] in that shallow of water.”
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