White whale stranded in the Seine

French rescuers are trying to save a white whale (Delphinapterus leucas) stranded in the Seine river, BBC reported on August 7. They first spotted the animal swimming in the river on August 2, about 70km north of Paris.

A white whale swims in the Seine River, France. (Photo: Jean-François Monier/AFP)

After failed attempts to help the white whale swim out to sea, the rescue team was pessimistic about its chances of survival. They provided frozen herring and live salmon to the 4-meter-long whale, but it didn't seem interested in eating either.

Authorities considered giving the white whale a vitamin injection to stimulate its appetite and help it make the 160km journey to the English Channel. From here, it can swim back to its Arctic habitat, where temperatures are colder.

Continuing to stay in warm river waters is not beneficial for white whales. "It has to be shipped in the next 24 to 48 hours," said Lamya Essemlali, head of Sea Shepherd France.

Essemlali also said that the hope of survival of this skinny white whale is very small. "We all have doubts about the animal's ability to return to sea. It would be extremely dangerous, if not impossible, to control it by boat," she said. However, the option of humane killing is now also eliminated.

Some small spots appeared on the whale's skin on August 6. However, experts are not sure if this is a response to the Seine's fresh water - which is different from its natural saltwater habitat - or a sign that the animal's health is deteriorating. They said the animal also showed signs of fear, only coming to the surface for a short time and emitting less calls than usual.

It's also unclear how white whales strayed so far from their frigid natural habitats in the Arctic and subarctic regions. The animals sometimes swim south in the fall to feed, but rarely do they go that far.