Updated at 1:50 p.m., Thursday, August 21, 2003
Two whales recuperating after rescue
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Two melon-headed whales that were rescued Tuesday off Hau‘ula Beach Park continued to swim on their own and eat today at the Marine Mammal Research rehabilitation facility at Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kane‘ohe.
But the whales, both adult males, were still in critical condition and volunteer veterinarians and biologists were keeping a constant watch on them. Marlee Breese of the University of Hawai‘i Marine Mammal Research Program said whales that try to beach themselves do so for a reason. “The fact that they’re both still alive is a good sign,” Breese said. “The statistics on survival on animals that strand are not good. The overwhelming majority of them die; they stranded for some reason. At this point we’re taking things day by day.” One of the whales weighs 360 pounds and the other is 15 pounds heavier, she said. Breese said volunteers had to help the whales to eat yesterday, although the two swallowed squid “with a certain amount of enthusiasm.” The whales also are being treated with antibiotics. Anyone who sees a marine animal in distress can call the National Marine Fisheries Service’s hotline at (888) 256-9840.
