Greece: Rescue operation launched for injured whale calf stranded in shallow waters near Athens

The young whale was originally spotted in shallow Greek waters on Thursday, but has since reappeared. The Cuvier's beaked whale usually lives far out to sea, leaving vets on the scene fearing the worst.

Friday 28 January 2022 14:30, UK

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Race against time to save whale calf
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Divers, vets, the coastguard and a government minister are trying to help an injured whale calf after it became trapped in shallow waters off the coast of Greece, near Athens.

The young Cuvier's beaked whale, or Ziphius cavirostris, was spotted in shallow waters in the area of Vouliagmeni on Thursday before divers were called to guide it back out to sea.

But it reappeared in a seaside area near Athens on Friday morning.

The species typically lives in much deeper waters, leaving experts fearing the worst for the young whale.

A rescue team of divers and vets attempt to care for a whale calf that became stranded in shallow water in a southern Athens seaside area, on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. Experts said the young animal is a Cuvier's beaked whale and that it showed signs of injury. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) PIC:AP
Image: Two specialised vets, a specialised veterinary nurse and four aid organisations are currently helping the whale. Pic: AP

"The fact that it has appeared in shallow waters means it isn't at all in good health," environment and deputy energy minister Giorgos Amyras said at the scene.

"At this moment the animal is suffering."

TV crews stand behind a ribbon as rescue teams of divers and vets attempt to care for a whale calf that became stranded in shallow water in a southern Athens seaside area on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. Experts said the young animal is a Cuvier's beaked whale and that it showed signs of injury. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) PIC:AP
Image: Members of the Greek media crowd the whale calf in waters off the coast on Friday. Pic: AP

Vets have taken a blood sample to help diagnose the injured whale and have given it an antibiotic, he added.

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Two specialised vets, a specialised veterinary nurse and four aid organisations have also been brought in to try to save it.

A diver attempts to care for a whale calf that became stranded in shallow water in a southern Athens seaside area, on Friday, Jan. 28, 2022. Experts said the young animal is a Cuvier's beaked whale and that it showed signs of injury. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis) PIC:AP
Image: It has been given an antibiotic and experts are waiting on the result of a blood sample. Pic: AP

"The prognosis unfortunately isn't good," Mr Amyras said.

"But we, of course, are doing everything possible to save the animal, which is a Mediterranean species, a jewel of the Greek seas, and I hope it makes it and that we can help it."

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