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Brits to Stop Saving Stranded Whales

Marine experts say refloating causes suffering and rarely works

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 25, 2009 8:30 AM CDT

(Newser) – Whales who get stuck on British shores will now get a lethal injection instead of a lift back to the ocean, the Independent reports. The policy is backed by marine experts and animal welfare groups as the more humane option, based on new research showing that refloated whales usually die painfully from dehydration and kidney failure before they can make it back to deep sea.

"All the blood samples we've taken have shown the same picture of dehydration, kidney damage and severe muscle damage," a whale expert said. "Every stranded whale should ideally have a vet in assistance. We have a choice either to refloat them as quickly as possible or euthanize them by lethal injection, and that, usually, is the best decision."

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Rescuers lower a whale into the water at Flinders Bay in an attempt to return it to sea after being beached in Hamelin Bay, Western Australia, Monday, March 23, 2009. (AP Photo/Department of Environment and Conservation, Emma de Burgh)

Londoners cheer during an ultimately unsuccessful effort to rescue a stranded whale from the River Thames. (©John Pannell)

A whale is lifted onto a barge from London's River Thames in 2006. The stranded animal died of dehydration soon afterward. (©John Pannell)

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If I had a dog or a cat with this kind of kidney picture on the results we had then I'd think that the animal would be feeling pretty awful. Added to that is the stress of being stranded and dehydrated; these animals are suffering. - Marine mammal expert Dr. Paul Jepson

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Brits to Stop Saving Stranded Whales