Baby whale stranded in New Zealand harbour for 20 days has died

The orca, nicknamed Bob, was dehydrated and emaciated, and refused food offered by scientists trying to save him

Saturday 6 August 201601.25 BST

The baby orca stranded in Tauranga harbour in New Zealand for more than 20 days has died.

The calf – nicknamed Bob by locals – had been separated from it’s pod in mid-July, and despite the efforts of a task force set up to reunite Bob with his family, his kin were never located.

The calf – estimated to be between six months and one year old – was dehydrated and emaciated, and refused food offered by scientists trying to save him.

Without his mother’s milk Bob had begun to use up his own reserves of blubber to survive.

Earlier this week Bob’s health began to decline rapidly, and he was transported from Tauranga harbour to a pool on the shoreline, where he was fed electrolytes and water through a tube. He was also offered fish slurry, which he refused.

“Sadly the calf lost its battle overnight despite the best efforts of a team of rescuers,” conservation minister Maggie Barry said in a statement.

“Rescue and release of an orca this young would have been a world first, the chances of success were always slim.

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