Rescuers fail to save sick whale

Suggested Topics

A sick whale had to be put down last night after it repeatedly beached itself on sandbanks.

The northern bottlenose whale was stranded on harbour flats in Langstone, Hampshire, for around 12 hours in total.

Marine scientists had been about to put it down when it refloated in shallow water. But blood tests taken from the mammal were sent for testing and showed that it was suffering from irreversible renal failure.

Last night, the 26ft long whale became beached again on the East Winner sandbank, Hayling Island. Paul Jepson and Rob Deaville, vets from the Zoological Society of London, a vet from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue and a team of marine medics then worked together to administer a fast-acting, fatal dose of anaesthetic.

The six-tonne young adult had become dehydrated and hungry, and dangerous toxins had built up because its organs had been compressed under its body on the sandbanks near Langstone Mill. Faye Archell, the director of divers rescue team, said: "There's no coming back from renal failure."

About 50 people, including firefighters, marine biologists, Coastguard and RNLI staff had been involved in attempts to save the whale.

A northern bottlenose whale was stranded in the river Thames in London in January 2006. It later died.

Independent Comment
blog comments powered by Disqus
Career Services

Day In a Page

How an abortion divided America

How an abortion divided America

Single mother who took a pill to end her pregnancy is now fighting a landmark prosecution in a conservative state
Can you master a language in a weekend?

Can you master a language in a weekend?

Ed Cooke insists he can use his techniques as a memory expert to help novices learn even the hardest tongues.
The 10 best heaters

The 10 best heaters

From the DeLonghi Retro Fan Heater to the Dimplex MicroFire
Coming soon to a shelf near you: The publishing industry has gone mad for film-style trailers

Coming soon to a shelf near you

The publishing industry has gone mad for film-style trailers
Mad, bad and delightful to know: How Lord Byron became a cultural superstar

How Lord Byron became a cultural superstar

As the poet takes centre stage in the West End, Boyd Tonkin looks into the life of the outspoken champion of the poor
Did they all live happily ever after? That's up to you...

Did they all live happily ever after? That's up to you...

New digital novel will overturn centuries of literary tradition by allowing readers to choose how they would like story to end
How to look good for less – Primark in copycat row

How to look good for less – Primark in copycat row

With London Fashion Week starting tomorrow, designers are closeted in studios putting finishing touches to their collections
James Lawton: Arsène and Arsenal are living in the past

James Lawton

Arsène and Arsenal are living in the past
How Docherty's resurgent Reds beat Dutch greats

How Docherty's resurgent Reds beat Dutch greats

United have met Ajax only once before in Europe, in 1976. The key performers recall an electric occasion
Civil war at Ajax

Civil war at Ajax

A rift between two club legends has torn the Dutch giants apart
Lewis Moody: For an idea of where England are headed, look at Wales now

Lewis Moody column

For an idea of where England are headed, look at Wales now
Geoff Toovey: Little gem with huge incentive to become king of the world

Geoff Toovey interview

Little gem with huge incentive to become king of the world
Picture preview: Portrait of London

Portrait of London

Picture preview
No secularism please, we're British

No secularism please, we're British

Arguments about the role of religion in national life have recently acquired a new urgency
Harold Tillman: 'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'

Harold Tillman interview

'Chinese tourists can save the high street – if we let them'