Good Samaritans Rescue 12-Foot, Blind Pygmy Sperm Whale on Zuma Beach

Good Samaritans acted speedily and rescued a 12-foot pygmy sperm whale that washed ashore at the Zuma Beach at Malibu on Jan. 18. The mammal, however, was later euthanized as it couldn’t be treated in rehab.

The whale was spotted at the shoreline at 7:45 a.m., according to a quote obtained by 10 News from the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Attempts by beachgoers to push it back into the sea were unsuccessful.

Videos posted on Twitter shows Mammal Rescue Volunteers carrying it to California Wildlife Center for Treatment in a rescue vehicle.

“Yes we did respond to a call regarding a whale in distress this morning at Zuma Beach,” said Jennifer Brent, Executive Director, California Wildlife Center in a mail response to NTD Television.

“We were advised by experienced veterinarians at Sea World in cooperation with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that this species does not fare well in rehabilitation and combined with other problems (chronic wounds, diarrhea, blindness…) the decision was made to euthanize,” said Jennifer.

Natural History Museum will do a battery of tests on the mammal’s carcass.