4 pygmy killer whales rescued in southern Taiwan
於南台灣拯救4頭小虎鯨
| 3 released back into sea, 1 brought to research center for additional care
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Four pygmy killer whales were rescued after being stranded on the beach near Tainan’s Qingshan Fishing Port at 8 a.m. on Sunday (Oct. 6). The Qingshan Inspection Station received a report from the public about the cetaceans in distress. It contacted the Coast Guard Southern Branch 11th Patrol Team for assistance. A bridge leading to the whales was out of service, so the Coast Guard traveled by boat to the area. The patrol located the four pygmy killer whales, which appeared bruised, distressed, and had difficulty breathing, per Liberty Times. Patrol staff used towels and buckets to ensure the cetaceans’ skin remained moist. They helped the whales in the water stay afloat to prevent organs from becoming compressed, while others onshore were kept with their dorsal fins and blowholes pointing up. Wang Hao-wen (王浩文), director of National Cheng Kung University’s Marine Biology and Cetacean Research Center (MBCRC), assessed the condition of the pygmy killer whales. He determined three were in good condition and could be released back into the wild. Wang coordinated with local fishermen to load the pygmy killer whales on their boats and release them into the sea. However, the fourth pygmy killer whale was brought to the research center for additional care. |
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| Sean Scanlan, Taiwan News, Staff Writer | |
| 2024-10-06 |
