Tragic find: pygmy sperm whale dies with plastic bag in its stomach
Florida (USA) - A heartbreaking story took place in the US state of Florida. Beachcombers found an injured whale pup that had to be euthanized shortly afterwards.
Walkers discovered a suspected dolphin calf injured on a stretch of beach in St. Augustine, Florida.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was immediately contacted to report the injured animal . However, as it later turned out, it was not a dolphin, but a pygmy sperm whale.
In a video on Instagram, the organization "St. Johns County Beach Services" reports on the rescue of the young animal. Employees and volunteers helped to collect the whale from the beach and then transport it to a vet.
Tragically, the animal had to be euthanized shortly afterwards due to its poor health.
An autopsy of the animal subsequently revealed that there was "a large plastic bag in the main stomach with accompanying ulcers".
Aid organization expresses outrage over ingested plastic
After the sad story became public, the aid organization "Oceana" spoke out almost indignantly.
"Plastic has not only been imposed on us as a society, but also on our oceans and marine life. There is nothing natural about a plastic bag in the belly of a whale calf," a spokesperson told People.
St. Johns County Beach Services also warned against carrying stranded marine animals back into the water by hand.
Such a rescue requires professional help and treatment.