Since the whale wandered into a saltwater basin in the Normandy region, efforts have been made to release it despite fears that its health is fast deteriorating.
A beluga whale that had wandered into the Seine River in France has been euthanized, according to French authorities.
The effort to relocate the animal, which had been imprisoned since last Friday, commenced early this morning.
A team of approximately 24 professionals and numerous volunteers used a crane and nets to put the whale onto a refrigerated truck for the 99-mile (160-kilometer) journey to the port city of Ouistreham in the northeastern region of France.
However, during its journey from the Paris canal to the coast, it had respiratory difficulties and had to be euthanized.
“Despite an unprecedented rescue operation for the beluga, we regret to report the cetacean’s passing,” tweeted the prefect of the Calvados region.
It was a dangerous move from the start, and there were concerns that the whale would be harmed by its relocation.
Isabelle Brasseur, a conservationist, stated that “he could die now, during the lifting,” but that it was “necessary to try.”
After being relocated, veterinary investigations indicated that the extremely emaciated beluga whale had no digestive function for unclear reasons.
Since the whale wandered into a saltwater basin in the Normandy region, efforts have been made to release it despite fears that its health is fast deteriorating.
Whale turned down all food
It was sighted in a French river on Wednesday after wandering tens of thousands of kilometers from its Arctic habitat. It is believed that the underwater noise from ships and boats disoriented the whale.
On Friday, however, the beluga swam away from boats that were attempting to guide it to the river mouth between the ports of Le Havre and Honfleur and eventually became stuck.
A group of veterinarians intended to reactivate the whale’s digestive tract and encourage it to consume food. Since last week, when it was discovered, conservationists have unsuccessfully attempted to feed it fish.
However, the whale refused all food and it was feared that it would die of starvation.
There was hope for the animal’s survival when it responded to a combination of antibiotics and vitamins supplied in the last four days and rubbed itself against the wall of the lock to remove patches that had developed on its back.
In May of the previous year, a minke whale had to be euthanized after becoming trapped in the Thames River.
