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.
WHALE 🐋 AT ZUMA | Very ill Pygmy Sperm Whale at Zuma with what may be viral/bacterial infection per Mammal Rescue Volunteers. Rain storms sent ash/debris/septic run-off into ocean that may have contributed to the condition. Whale taken to CA Wildlife Center for treatment #malibu pic.twitter.com/TyZrYZMm0l
— Malibu90265 (@malibu90265org) January 18, 2019
WHALE 🐋 AT ZUMA | Very ill Pygmy Sperm Whale at Zuma with what may be viral/bacterial infection per Mammal Rescue Volunteers. Rain storms sent ash/debris/septic run-off into ocean that may have contributed to the condition. Whale taken to CA Wildlife Center for treatment #malibu pic.twitter.com/deaUd6Gu84
— Malibu90265 (@malibu90265org) January 18, 2019
“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.
WHALE 🐋 AT ZUMA | Very ill Pygmy Sperm Whale at Zuma with what may be viral/bacterial infection per Mammal Rescue Volunteers. Rain storms sent ash/debris/septic run-off into ocean that may have contributed to the condition. Whale taken to CA Wildlife Center for treatment #malibu pic.twitter.com/Uhy7Z9AvUH
— Malibu90265 (@malibu90265org) January 18, 2019
“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.
Pygmy Sperm Whale found in the surf on Zuma Beach. Animal kept beaching itself despite attempts to return it to the ocean. California Wildlife Center and Veterinary specialists called in. It was found that the animal was blinded by disease and had to be euthanized @KNX1070 pic.twitter.com/tphV4iUbJj
— Pete Demetriou (@knxpete) January 18, 2019
Natural History Museum will do a battery of tests on the mammal’s carcass.
