We sometimes wonder if the wild marine animals out there talk about Dolphin Research Center. Imagine our surprise when two pilot whales beached directly behind the Grassy Key home of several employees during the pilot whale strandings of April 1991 (see the “Sleepless Nights” case study below). Everyone thought the whales couldn’t have picked a better or more convenient spot to strand, for a change. We were wrong; three months later, a forty-nine foot fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus, blundered into the shallow water of the Gulf of Mexico directly behind DRC itself.
The whale was spotted partially floating in approximately four and a half feet of water some 400 yards from shore. As soon as we realized we had a whale in our own backyard, a rescue team was assembled.
In most cases a stranded marine mammal requires medical attention and rehabilitation before it can return safely to the wild. This whale, however, with the exception of a relatively minor shark bite on her tail fluke, seemed to be in good shape. She appeared to have a decent weight and to be bright and alert. Unfortunately, it was low tide and the rescue team could do nothing immediately to free the whale, nicknamed “Donna.” We would have to wait for high tide that afternoon so Donna could float and we could move her into deeper waters without injury.
Fin whales are an endangered species, and procedure dictated that we notify the National Marine Fisheries Service. We also contacted the Coast Guard for help with towing Donna to deeper waters. While these communications took place, the rest of the rescue team contemplated taking measurements and performing medical tests on a forty-nine foot whale.
To make the most of the information-gathering opportunity presented by a stranded animal, and to aid in identifying it if sighted in the future, very specific data is recorded. Fortunately, Donna did not seem to mind being the object of intense scrutiny. Lengths, girths, and positions and shapes of fins, eyes, and blowhole are all required. For a staff accustomed to measuring dolphins and small whales, Donna’s values were stunning. The width of the tail fluke, ten feet across, was greater than the length of any of our dolphins. Fin whales are the second largest species of whale; only the gigantic blue whales are larger.
Once the measurements were completed, a blood sample from the dorsal fin was taken. Blood is usually taken more easily from the tail fluke, but for some reason no one seemed eager to try holding that ten-foot fluke motionless for the procedure! A blowhole sample was also taken to test for parasites. The parasite test was negative; the blood sample showed no signs of infection.
With these procedures accomplished, there was nothing to do, but wait for high tide. For many of DRC’s employees, Donna provided a first-time opportunity to observe a large, endangered baleen whale. During breaks from work, boats shuttled the staff out to take a closer look.
As the water level slowly began to rise, Donna gained a bit more mobility. Finally, the tide reached its peak and the Coast Guard vessel commissioned for “whale towing service” arrived. Two of the DRC team began the difficult task of fitting a makeshift sling around Donna’s body, under her pectoral fins. Attached to the towing vessel by means of a rope, the sling would tow the whale facing forward, its normal swimming position. Whales towed backward, by their tails, can drown because they have difficulty keeping themselves afloat to breathe.
Slowly, the Coast Guard vessel revved its engines and began to pull. With the high tide, they didn’t have to go very far before Donna was swimming on her own. Amidst the cheers of the rescuers, however, it suddenly became apparent that not only was Donna swimming on her own, but she was pulling the Coast Guard vessel backwards behind her! The rope was quickly cut, freeing the makeshift sling from the fin whale’s body.
As Donna swam away, DRC and volunteer boats escorted her out to sea to make sure she avoided the several remaining shallow sandbanks. She seemed to be navigating well and heading for deep waters.
But the story doesn’t end there. Donna beached two more times on the West Coast of Florida. Both times she was reportedly in good condition and volunteers returned her to deeper water. It may be that because Donna was in unfamiliar waters, her ability to navigate was impaired. As is often the case in stranding work, we were left with more questions than answers. We hope that, as we have heard no more reports of her, she finally found her way.
