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Updated 11.09
THE YOUNG FIN whale stuck in the harbour at Baltimore in west Cork is still alive this morning.
A sorrowful and distressing sight, the 40-foot mammal has been thrashing its scarred and injured body since it reached the pier wall on Tuesday. Usually whales beach themselves before dying but, unfortunately, this one could not reach dry land as it was caught in the harbour.
Baltimore Harbour Master Diarmuid Minihane told TheJournal.ie that there is no way of knowing when the creature will die.
“Experts thought he wouldn’t make it through the first night [Tuesday] but he did,” Minihane pointed out. “Realistically, we just don’t know. Normally whales beach themselves but this one can’t so it is being prolonged.”
Veterinary staff and whale groups have indicated that nothing can be done to quicken the process for the dying creature. Already sick and emaciated, the whale struggles towards its end with many people and onlookers asking why it cannot be ‘put out of its misery’ immediately.
Mick O’Connell of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has explained why the most common options are not viable in this situation.
Getting the mammal back to sea should only be considered when it has a good chance of recovery. Refloating a cetacean correctly is challenging, potentially dangers and requires a lot of assistance and equipment. Even with pontoons, a refloat is only possible with an animal up to around the size of an adult pilot whale (c.6m).
In this situation, the whale does not have a good chance of recovery as determined by vets who are on site. Refloating is also not an option because the animal most likely weighs over 25 tonnes and could not be lifted safely. Towing using the tail stock is never an option due to risk of damage, injury and stress to the animal.
In certain cases, euthanasia may be considered. Some drugs for such large animals are available in the UK but are not legal in Ireland because of their potency. There is also the issue of the disposal of the carcass in order to protect other animals who may feed on it. Euthanasia drugs authorised in Ireland must be used in quite large quantities for bigger animals and such a dose would be difficult to administer through the thick blubber layer of a powerful, stressed whale in shallow water.
Shooting may be an option also but would need to be done by an experienced person taking into account public safety and the difficulty of quickly and cleanly shooting a large animal with deep layers of blubber and thick bone structure.
It would only result in bullet injuries to the whale reminiscent of the book ‘A Whale for the Killing’.
The National Park and Wildlife Services (NPWS) section of the Department of the Environment has deemed that doing nothing is the best option for both the public and the animal. The IWDG agreed. It said:
This may seem like an odd choice of option but there is a difference between doing nothing, and choosing to do nothing based on best appraisal of a situation. There is no point in doing something simply for the sake of needing to do something as it is likely that the animal will just suffer more.
It is almost certain that the whale is going to die if it can’t escape to open water itself – so what we can do is treat it with some respect, give it space, don’t go near it, throw anything near it or do anything to increase the stress it is already under.
Large crowds have gathered to catch a glimpse of the whale in the past few days but the not-for-profit group has now asked the public to consider their decisions.
Think before you go down to see it – yes, it is a chance to see one of nature’s giants, but consider also that you or your family may find it a distressing experience.
It added that it can better ensure the animal is not stressed further by ensuring the surrounding area is quiet with no barking dogs or interference.
When the whale eventually passes away, an action plan has been figured out between the NPWS and local authorities. Its body will be removed and transported to Waterford.
[Update]
As of 11am, the IWDG has become concerned that the whale may remain in its current location for a number of weeks as it slowly starves to death or dies from its wounds.
Founder of the organisation Dr Simon Berrow described the situation as unacceptable.
“The initial response of non-interference was correct but the IWDG is now making enquiries about the option of shooting the whale,” he said. “This is the only way to euthanase it as nobody could enter the water to administer a drug, even if we had one powerful enough, and it would not be possible to administer remotely.”
The group is now exploring the possibility of shooting it with a high-powered rifle with the Defence Forces.
Berrow conceded that it “might take more than one shot” but agreed to take responsibility if no other agency was willing or prepared to act.
The whale is protected by a wide range of national and international legislation, enforced by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and although it is dying it is in the opinion of the IWDG, still their responsibility. Normally you require a licence from the Minister, and a derogation from these legal instruments, to interfere with a whale but this is an exceptional case and interference is necessary.
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If I ever get trapped in west Cork, please shoot me. To hell with my deep layers of blubber and thick bone structure.
What a stupid comment.
terrible situation
I don’t buy the “we can’t shoot it” option, has anyone contacted the defence forces? You could completely close off the area and take it out. They’d surely have weapons that easily pierce the blubber and a system to insure public safety . They also have the expertise compare to anyone else carrying arms in the country.
Shooting it would likely cause the whale even more distress Adrian, according to experts, even if it was viable in terms of where the whale is and what weapons could be used.
Shooting an animal that size with a bullet would be the equivalent of sticking a needle in a human’s arm: painful, but probably not going to kill you.
A rocket launcher would definitely kill free willy. Would have to find a soldier sober enough to do it which would be far more treacherous
comment of the day jason walsh
The best way to put the whale out of its misery is by shooting it in the head with a small canon or heavy calibre machine gun (not a rifle as mentioned above). This should be done in the correct fashion (area cordoned off, military personnel, sharp shooters etc.) and scientifically monitored (biologist and vets) so that it can be assessed and this experience passed on to deal with future scenarios. This is not a time to stand idly by and do nothing whilst an innocent animal suffers, this is an opportunity to learn how to deal with these issues in a humane manner. This whale has huge stores of fat (fuel) and is in oxygenated water so it’s going to take a very long time to die.
Sharp shooters?! What are they there for, in case the whale makes a break for it!
not sure why oxygenated water is relevant? It’s a mammal, not a fish …
Wow Hugh I can’t believe I made the stupid comment about oxygenated water (cringe)… what I meant is that there enough water in the harbour to hydrostatically prevent the whale from suffocating which is what would happen on a beach at low tide.
Looks like the long time to die was a little premature
I am impressed at the number of master whale assassins we have here.
I guess they tend to have a lot of time on our hands in that line of work.
I thought brian cowen was from offaly. how he end up in Clare?
Your knowledge of geography is in line with the wit of your comment…
whoops cork eeek fail
Seems quite symbolic of the bank situation in this country! Nothing can be done.
No.
Jesus David, that was a poor link..
**Sigh**, there’s always one.
FFS why does ever article here always have a egit comparing it to the economy, banking or the government??!!
You’re why we can’t have nice things!
and then they blame everyone else because they’re miserable!
*snore*
Looks like my anti-trolling comment was removed. Obviously The Journal supports and welcomes comments from trolls like David. Maybe you should give him a job.
Clearly there are options for ending its life but authorities are choosing not to act. It makes for horrendous viewing. My cynical side says they don’t want to shoot it because it won’t be as valuable to scientists as if it dies of ‘natural causes’
You’re right Alan, I forgot that the on-going study by Irish Zoologists into nematode loads in cetaceans. Better to leave it so. I retract my comment above.
Day 3 of the stranded fin whale in Baltimore and it is still alive. As the whale is not actually on land but still floating, it could remain this way for days or weeks while it slowly starves or dies from its wounds. This is not acceptable. The initial response of non-interference was correct but the IWDG are now making enquiries about the option of shooting the whale. This is the only way to euthanse it as nobody could enter the water to administer a drug, even if we had one powerful enough, and it would not be possible to administer remotely. The IWDG is exploring the option with the Naval Services and the Army of the use of a high-powered rifle. It may take more than one shot but this might be the best cause of action.
The IWDG will take responsibility if no other agency or department is prepared to act. The whale is protected by a wide range of national and international legislation, enforced by the National Parks and Wildlife Service and although it is dying it is in the opinion of the IWDG, still there responsibility. Normally you require a licence from the Minister, and a derogation from these legal instruments, to interfere with a whale but this is an exceptional case and interference is necessary.
This is an unfortunate episode and very distressing for all but we must do what is best for the whale and a swift end is probably the best action at this stage.
Dr Simon Berrow, Executive Officer, IWDG
Would it be illegal to go out there and cut a chunk off him?
Try it and see. You against a 40ft, 30 ton whale in the water. Paddy Powers would laugh at me if I even thought of asking for odds on that.
Ill bring the barbecue :)
Not sure of the local conditions but I wonder would it be possible to dam off the section of the harbour that the whale is in at low tide and then allow it to be beached to hasten its end.
They’re all afraid they’ll get a lashing by greenpeace or something similar to be honest.
Also Sinead I know what you’re told seems sound but there’s a lot of politics involved, don’t take it all at face value.
Reporters believe everything they’re told! :)
Why is their such concern for this mammal? All around the west Cork coast, and around the coast of Ireland, hundreds of fishermen are killing tens of thousands of other sea creatures so we can eat some of them, yet everyone feels sorry for this whale. Will the media be reporting the next time a family dog gets knocked down and killed?
They should sell it to Japan when it dies..
Oh god this is awful! How long must this poor creature suffer. Very distressing.
About fecking time somebody took responsibilty. The whole village feels bad for the poor thing.
Can it be fed?
Can they just plant some TNT on the poor whale and blow him up? Puts the whale out of its misery and gives the public a good spectacle to watch.
Heartbreaking!…..
There’s going to be a massive fight about who keeps it. Locals want it for the skeleton, authorities want to bring it to Waterford for study.
No it won’t. I posted links yesterday on this so I won’t repeat myself. The whale in Courtmacsherry had an autopsy done and documented, the whale was cut up and rendered and the skeleton removed and is on display in Kilbrittain.
Are you from Baltimore? I am
Nope, not from Baltimore so I am commenting on what happened in Court Mac. If there are internal and external feuds going on in Baltimore then far be it for me to get caught in the cross fire! However if the authorities want to bring it to Waterford they might want to bear this in mind http://www.truckspills.com/whale_spill.html .
The whale is going to die- it can’t be saved I think we can all agree on that- it can’t b put down- surely the army can step in here with a hire powered rifle with explosive tip bullet or shell-bloody yes but death in split seconds and no pain for the whale- or let it die a slow painful distressing death which could take weeks
Something has to be done
There are reports from the scene that the whale just died – can the Journal confirm this?
Checking it out now…thanks mattoid
You’re welcome Sinead.
Not sure whether to be happy or sad – just relieved I guess…
You could always just blow it up … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_t44siFyb4
(not entirely a joke)
Has anyone come up with a
Name for the whale to put on the gravestone? I think Finn sounds nice..
Did I just hear the Editor of The Journal, Susan Daly, say on Newstalk that Sinead (the author of this story) is treating it like a death in the family.
Seriously, get a grip.
*This is not having a go at Sinead, who is, as always, doing a fine job reporting.
I think she *may* have been exaggerating Noel. Although, it is very sad.
Hi Noel.
That’s not *quite* the spirit of what I said in five minutes or more of talking about the whale but anyway, glad to see you’ve specified that *I* get a grip and not Sineád because, yes, she is doing an excellent job.
And it is quite sad but then I did go into the grisly detail of Sineád’s article and also of how they were going to dispose of the whale, so I don’t think you can accuse me of getting too sentimental ;)
Live radio, eh?
I feel like I’ve missed an opportunity for a half-day. I should have claimed the need for some personal time!
have your say