An end to suffering for stranded whales

RSPCA
26.03.09

Three years after the 'Thames Whale' captured the attention of news networks around the world, new scientific evidence has informed the Marine Animal Rescue Coalition (MARC), of which the RSPCA is a member, on how to better respond to stranded whales.

Evidence from veterinary pathologists at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) has concluded that, unfortunately, beaked and sperm whales have little or no chance of survival if they strand.

Stranded whales deteriorate quickly
RSPCA senior scientific officer, Adam Grogan, said: "The findings show that when these whales are outside of their normal range, they become dehydrated as a result of not being able to feed, and quickly begin to deteriorate.

"They then become stranded, which damages their muscles, and leads eventually to kidney failure.

"This is what happened to the northern bottlenose whale spotted in the Thames in January 2006.

"As a result of its deteriorating condition, two days later, British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) took the decision to euthanase the whale."

Post mortem evidence from the 'Thames Whale' and a number of other beaked whales is now firm proof that attempts to rescue and refloat stranded animals in such poor condition will always have fatal consequences.

Unanimous agreement to end suffering
Therefore, MARC members have unanimously agreed that, to spare their suffering, stranded beaked and sperm whales will be euthanased.

However, this will be judged on a case by case basis because there may be exceptional circumstances where the situation merits a refloat attempt. For example, if close to a deep water habitat and if the refloat can be achieved within less than an hour.

This policy will be reviewed on a regular basis.

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