Whale Rescue Attempt Fails Again
P R O V I N C E T O W N, Mass. July 10 -- Choppy seas and poor visibility thwarted marine scientists’ attempt today to aid an endangered North Atlantic right whale with rope entangled in its jaw.
Teri Frady, spokeswoman for the National Marine Fisheries Services, said that scientists located the whale, dubbed Churchill, but were unable to attempt the ambitious rescue to loosen or remove the line because of foul weather.
“It’s frustrating for everybody. We certainly are still hopeful that we can do some good, but the longer this goes on the higher the risk for the whale and for us,” Frady said.
The heavy nylon fishing rope has caused a serious infection that could eventually kill the 50-foot-long, 50-ton male whale, one of only about 300 North Atlantic right whales left in the world.
The entangled whale was first spotted June 8, about 80 miles east of Cape Cod. The whale has since been spotted swimming alone and in circles. A buoy remained attached to the fishing line.
The disentanglement team also attempted to sedate the whale and loosen or remove the rope late last month, but were unsuccessful. Poor weather has kept the rescue crews in port since last week.
Today, the rescuers left Provincetown Harbor at about 7:15 a.m. to rendezvous with the whale, last tracked about 45 miles off Cape Cod.
Frady said that after a plane located a satellite buoy attached to the whale, the two boats of marine scientists spent about four hours near the whale, with the last hour spent in thick fog.
The crew did manage to take a biopsy to assess the whale’s condition, and also attempted to use thermal imaging to ascertain its health. But the team was unable to launch smaller boats, sedate the whale and remove the line as planned.
She said the crew did see other whales in the area, indicating that there is still a plentiful food source for the whale to feed on.
Prospects Poor
Scientists may attempt to remove the line again on Wednesday, but weather conditions did not appear promising, Frady said.
