The whale was even hoisted out of the river, but had trouble breathing on the way to a saltwater pool.
The animal was first seen in the river on Thursday (4) and has struggled to swim about 80 kilometers from Paris in recent days, refusing food provided by professionals trying to save it.
1 of 1 A member of the rescue team examines a beluga that died during a rescue operation on August 10, 2022 in the Seine, France. — Photo: Benoit Tessier/Portal
A member of the rescue team surveys a beluga lost in the Seine River in France, which died during a rescue operation on August 10, 2022. — Photo: Benoit Tessier/Portal
This morning a team consisting of local authorities and marine conservation group Sea Shepherd France attempted a risky and unprecedented operation to get her to a saltwater pool in Ouistreham Canal harbor in a refrigerated truck. There she would be treated and later returned to the sea, according to the rescue plan.
The whale was even lifted out of the river and examined and monitored by veterinarians, but according to the team, it developed breathing problems along the way and did not survive. , said the mayor of Calvados, the region where the operation was carried out.
Sea Shepherd reported that while the operation was risky, the beluga was malnourished and could not survive in the warm, fresh water of the river. Belugas are typical of arctic waters but can survive in fresh water for a while.
“Despite an unprecedented rescue effort, we sadly announce the death of the whale,” the mayor announced.
Beluga whale lost in Seine refuses food from rescuers
During the week, specialists tried to feed him live trout and squid, but the whale refused any food and swam slowly, in addition to a sharp loss of weight.
Although a rare episode, this isn’t the first time a whale has appeared in the Seine. In May, an orca, also in serious condition, swam dozens of kilometers down the river. Crews attempted to guide it back to sea, but the animal was disoriented and died of natural causes.
In 2018, another beluga was sighted on the River Thames in London.
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