Fight to save Humpback Whale calf
Media release: 19 August 2008
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is today considering the best way to help an abandoned baby humpback whale that may have returned to Pittwater this morning.
The NPWS is working with a number of whale and veterinary experts, ORRCA, RSPCA and Sea World to work out the next step.
NPWS Sydney North Regional Manager Chris McIntosh said the baby whale was first spotted in Pittwater on the weekend and had been seen nuzzling up to a moored vessel in an attempt to find milk.
"Whale biologists from Macquarie University, University of Queensland and Taronga Zoo agree that the calf has most likely been abandoned by its mother, but we're not sure why."
"The NPWS - in partnership with NSW Maritime and NSW Water Police - were able to move the moored vessel out past the Barrenjoey Headland with the calf following yesterday afternoon in an attempt to encourage the animal out to sea in the hope it may link up with a passing pod."
"We have a patrol vessel out this morning after reports it has returned to Mackerel Beach and we now considering how best to help the animal."
"Concerned members of the community have suggested taking the animal into captivity but there are no facilities large enough to hold an animal of this size."
"As the calf is still being breast fed, we have no way of feeding or socialising it, so taking this humpback into captivity is not an option."
Mr McIntosh said that in addition to baby sperm whales and other species one or two baby humpback whales wash ashore on NSW Beaches each year.
"A similar event of this kind occurred in the Harrington Estuary in 1999, where after an initial stranding and return to sea, the rescued whale subsequently died and washed up on a beach the few days later."
"None the less, NPWS and ORRCA whale stranding teams are on standby."
"Athough this is distressing, we have to remember that animals sometimes abandon their young. This is a natural occurrence."
Contact: Susie Summers