Baby whale to be euthanized after being abandoned by mother

By Lauren Beavis

A stranded fin whale calf may have to be euthanized after being abandoned by her mother.

Rescuers fear the baby mammal won't survive after getting stuck in shallow waters off the coast of Cornwall.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) sent a team of 15 trained Marine Mammal Medics, including two veterinary professionals, to Mevagissey just after 7 a.m. on Monday.

But it's feared the 6.2-meter newborn whale calf will not be able to survive without its mother.

Medics say the calf is in poor nutritional condition, with an elevated respiratory rate and no sign of any accompanying adult whales.

National Rescue Coordinator Em Mayman said: "A calf of this age is completely dependent on the mother for frequent feeding and cannot survive independently at sea.

"With the whale’s compromised condition and its inability to thrive without its mother, the BDMLR team and attending veterinary professionals have been carefully considering euthanasia options to stop further suffering.

"The priority on scene is to manage the calf’s welfare, ensure public safety and minimize any further distress to the animal. Leaving the whale on the beach is not compatible with survival, and without veterinary intervention the calf would face a prolonged and inevitable death from starvation and physiological collapse.

"BDMLR will continue to work closely with veterinary partners and relevant authorities as the situation progresses."