France: A stray orca found dead in the Seine

The animal, which weighed several tons, was now scheduled to be dragged ashore and rescued. Next, veterinarians and biologists must perform an autopsy to find out why the marine mammals strayed into the English Channel and Shane and why they died.

On Saturday, attempts were initially made to steer the orca towards the sea with the help of whale noise. A drone was also used in the experimental rescue attempt, and the images showed an advanced fungal growth and infection in the animal. Then it was decided to put the sick orca to sleep.

According to the Marine Mammal Research Group (GEEC), the whale was first seen in early April by the crew of a fishing vessel about 30 kilometers off the coast of Normandy. It has since been seen along the coast, at the mouth of the Seine and upstream of the Seine. A GEEC expert explained that orcas are most common off the coasts of Scotland, Iceland and Norway, and further south in the Atlantic Ocean in the Bay of Biscay.

Repeatedly spotted along the coast

According to the Marine Mammal Research Group (GEEC), the whale was first seen in early April by the crew of a fishing vessel about 30 kilometers off the coast of Normandy. Clear video recordings. There is no doubt that it is an orca. Since then it has been frequently spotted along the coast, at the mouth of the Seine and about 60 kilometers upstream of the Seine near Yainville.

A GEEC expert explained that orcas are most common off the coasts of Scotland, Iceland and Norway, and further south in the Atlantic Ocean in the Bay of Biscay. Instead of moving toward the sea, the orca continued to swim back and forth, the prefecture said. Even before the rescue, his condition was rated extremely vulnerable and the chances of survival low.

Since the animal was already very weak, the authorities, after consulting with experts, decided to use the unusual noise method. This avoids using a vessel at close range, which could increase the animal’s stress level.

Underwater whale sounds were played by loudspeaker during the mission. Then the search teams watched from the boats in the distance as the orca responded to the sounds. But instead of being guided by sounds, the animal swims back and forth between the banks. In order not to cause more stress to the animal, the experiment was stopped early Sunday evening.