Update: Baby Whale Euthanised

The baby whale who tried to suckle from boats off the coast of Sydney was in such poor health that officials decided to euthanise it today.

The whale — dubbed Colin by the Australian media — had injuries consistent with a shark attack, and veterinarians thought it unlikely the baby would survive through the night.

The calf, thought to be just a few weeks old, was given an overdose of anaesthetic by National Parks and Wildlife Service (NWPS) authorities a short time after 8.30am, after it was located during a dawn search.

Many locals — who had been following the saga since the baby was discovered last Sunday — were heartbroken at the decision.

Many people had gathered at The Basin in Pittwater, north of Sydney this morning, as they had last night. An NPWS spokesperson said, “Some people are very upset, and some were very aggressive. It’s a bit harrowing personally. “They’ve been calling me the worst names you can imagine … [including] ‘effing murderer’ which is a bit hard to take – I’ve spent my life working with animals.”

An Aboriginal “whale whisperer”, Bunna Lawrie, spent time with the whale yesterday, patting it and singing to it, was devastated at the decision.

Experts claim there was no other choice. Tube feeding only has a two-to-three per cent success rate, and it is nearly impossible to raise animals of this size in captivity.

Rest in peace, Colin.

[Source]