A rescue team of 80 people managed to free the beluga, which has been trapped in the Seine for more than a week, this night. The animal is in bad shape and is now being cared for in a saltwater tank.
The beluga swam near Paris for over a week. The animal normally lives in the Arctic and has thus strayed about 3,000 kilometers. Being stuck between two locks, the beluga had a hard time finding its familiar food. The warm water further deteriorated his health.
But there is hope for a happy ending to the white dolphin’s adventure. In a rescue operation that lasted more than six hours, the animal was finally freed. With a large hammock, divers managed to fish the 800 kilo beluga from the Seine. The animal is now placed in a saltwater tank in which it receives care.
A French journalist filmed how the beluga was pulled from the water.
Despite the successful liberation, concerns about the beluga remain great. For example, the rescue action can cause a lot of stress for the animal. That stress can eventually even be fatal.
To medically care for the white dolphin, blood is first drawn and fluid is administered. The animal is also force-fed because it has not wanted to eat in recent days. Animal organization Sea Shepherd hopes it will be enough for the beluga to heal. Then he will be released into the sea.