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He got lost from the sea into the Seine, far from his arctic habitat: This four meter long beluga whale became so emaciated on his way up the French river that medics are now undertaking a dangerous rescue operation: they want to transport him by truck Transport Tuesday from freshwater to a saltwater tank.
Lamya Essemlali, President Sea Shepherd France: “An operation of this nature, the translocation of a whale, is very, very complicated. It is complex and there is a risk that the animal will become stressed and die from that stress. This often happens, even in healthy animals, and this is a very weak individual. But we have no other choice. He has to leave here because this environment is not suitable for his health.«
Covered with wet towels, the 800-kilogram animal is first to be hoisted onto a barge and then transported onward.
Since Friday, conservationists have been trying to feed the presumably sick animal with fish.
In the past few days he has responded to a cocktail of antibiotics and vitamins and rubbed himself against the lock wall.
The spots on his back have also disappeared.
Now the rescuers are confident that the beluga will survive.
If the whale survives the transport and responds to the planned treatment, it could eventually be released back into the open sea.
