Kids Rescue Newborn Beluga Whale With Quick-Thinking

Credit:
Credit: GREMM


On a weekly basis, it seems, stories surface of humans mishandling wildlife and often contributing to their demise. If seal pups aren’t being stolen from the beach or dolphins aren’t being passed around for selfies, sharks are being pulled from the water so fishermen can get photos to brag about.

Humanity’s utter lack of regard for other creatures’ needs and desires is embarrassing. Thankfully, not everyone is so quick to harm a creature for the perfect photo op. In fact, a couple of kids recently played a big part in saving a newborn baby whale’s life.

CBC News reports that while vacationing on the shores of St. Lawrence River in Canada, a family spotted a baby Beluga whale washed up on the riverbank. As they approached, it became clear that the whale had recently been born, as its umbilical cord was still attached.

The whale’s mother was nowhere to be seen so that family’s boys quickly took the initiative to save its life and began hydrating it until authorities arrived.

Credit: GREMM
Credit: GREMM

15-year-old Nicholas Milliard relayed the event:

“We dug a hole so that water would accumulate and its skin would hydrate. Every five minutes we got it a bucket of water. The water level was dropping, and it was becoming more and more difficult to get water.”

When researchers from the Group for Research and Education on Marine Mammals (GREMM) arrived to help with the rescue mission, they were delighted to see the baby Beluga whale still alive. The whale was transported back to the water so she could find a lactating mother, reports The Dodo.

https://www.thedodo.com/baby-whale-st-lawrence-1905095270.html
Credit: GREMM

Because she disappeared into the water, it is unknown whether or not she found a whale to nurse from. However, she was spotted migrating to various pods before it got too dark out. A sample of the newborn’s umbilical cord was taken to match to any carcasses that might wash up on shore in the first place. This will clue researchers in on the baby’s fate.

She may not have had the easiest start to life, but thanks to the groups’ efforts, she at least was given another opportunity to survive.

Credit: GREMM
Credit: GREMM

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