Efforts to transport the beluga whale, which has been spotted off the Seine since last week, began at dawn in Saint-Pierre-la-Garrain to the north. France.
Around 05:00 (Greek time), after a six-hour effort, the nearly 800 kg whale was netted by a crane and loaded onto a barge, where about ten veterinarians rushed to help him.
3:00 Matins, Les Operations avancent lentement.
le #beluga est dans un fillet que les pompiers displacent. pic.twitter.com/HlGBwpd9of
— Clement Lanot (@ClementLanot) August 10, 2022
This is the first step in a broad operation to move the beluga to the sea. She will then be moved to a special location in a salty river in Wistrim Harbor so scientists can monitor her health before releasing her into the open.
The operation to return to the sea, in addition to being “unusual”, poses a danger to the beluga, already emaciated and sensitive to all sorts of stresses, said Isabelle Brasser from Marineland Aquarium in Antibes. “She could die” during the transfer “to point B” on the Wistrim, the same expert warned.
The whale appears emaciated and is said to be in “very worrying” health. Although the rescuers gave the cute whale squid and fish, he did not accept them. But there are signs of improvement after he was given a cocktail of vitamins and antibiotics.
“Here’s what’s important: find out if we can cure her of what’s bothering her. This is a necessary step before it is released to the sea,” said Lamia Essemlaly, President of Sea Shepherd France.
Beluga came out of the water after long hours of preparation and effort. Bravo to the teams involved in overcoming this challenge, the first physicals will be announced soon. Le beluga va maintenant prendre la route vers Ouistreham. pic.twitter.com/Vc8aBMKf6r
— Sea Shepherd of France (@SeaShepherdFran) August 10, 2022
The cetacean, sighted on August 2 in the Seine, has remained since Friday in the same place, about 70 kilometers northwest of Paris, away from the arctic and subarctic waters that are its usual habitat. She managed to swim a considerable distance before the authorities stopped her with a dam.
According to APE-MPE, AFP, Reuters
Source: Kathimerini
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