Injured Whales Receive Antibiotics; Moving Closer to Ocean Home

Rescuers will use the next few days to assess the health condition of the two humpback whales.

Veterinarians were successful in administering antibiotics to the mother whale and calf that have remained in the Sacramento River. Photo: California Department of Fish and Wildlife

(RIO VISTA, Calif.) - Veterinarians were successful in administering antibiotics to the mother whale and calf that have remained in the Sacramento River. The antibiotics were administered using custom made syringes deployed via a remote operating apparatus into the muscle tissue of both whales, nicknamed Delta and Dawn.

Scientists say the pair on Monday, moved past the Rio Vista branch of the Sacramento River after refusing to cross under the bridge this past week.

They traveled about 25 miles from Sunday’s spot, and are about 45 miles away from their ocean home.

The humpback whales have been swimming up and down the river since May 13th, after they took a wrong turn into San Francisco Bay while migrating to Alaska.

The whales are now back in a section of the river, where the fresh water is replaced by the ocean's salt water, which should help their wounds to heal Scientists said.

"We are very pleased that we were able to administer these meds," said Dr. Teri Rowles, Director of Marine Mammal Health for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "This is the very first time antibiotics have been administered to whales in the wild, and it took an exceptional collaboration.” Scientists are hopeful these medications will help the whales combat infection they are facing as a result of the injuries sustained from a boat incident and their stay in fresh water. The antibiotics include enrofloxacin (trade name “Baytril”), which has been donated by Bayer Animal Health Care, and ceftiofur (trade name “Excede”) donated by Pfizer Animal Health.

Preparation of the Baytril in dosages appropriate for the whales was done by Grandpa’s Compounding Pharmacy in Placerville, Calif. Rescuers will use the next few days to assess the health condition of the two humpback whales.

"The goals of this weekend’s health assessment are to collect samples of the whales’ breath and skin and obtain another tissue biopsy from the mother," said Rowles. "Conditions on the water and the cooperation of the whales will determine what collection activities can be attempted and completed." The breath analysis will help determine the general health condition of the whales and whether the calf is nursing.

These efforts to collect the exhaled breath was hampered by environmental conditions and the activity of the whales.

Efforts to obtain the breath sample will resume Tuesday. The skin sample, once obtained, will be tested to help determine the nature of lesions that have developed on the skin of both animals.

The biopsy sample of the adult whale will be compared to the sample taken earlier in the week to evaluate any changes in her condition.

Officials from the California Department of Fish and Game, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the United States Coast Guard are reminding the public that any individuals or groups interfering with whale rescue efforts or violating the 500-yard safety zone established for the mother and her calf could face severe civil and criminal penalties.

“Thousands of people have expressed their concern for the safety of the whales and offered suggestions on how we can encourage them to return to the Pacific,” said Captain Dave Fox of DFG, who is serving as state incident commander in the multi-agency rescue effort. “We appreciate their suggestions; however, it is critical that members of the public not jeopardize the safety of the whales and rescuers by taking action on their own.”

Various independent researchers have stated their intent to broadcast underwater sounds to the humpback whales on their own.

Such actions could pose a significant threat to the health of the whales and compromise the rescue efforts.

Individuals interfering with rescue operations, entering the safety zone or harassing the whales are subject to fines of up to $20,000 under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and up to $50,000 under the Endangered Species Act.

“Whales are federally protected animals and humpbacks are an endangered species,” noted Fox. “The agencies involved in the rescue effort have a mandate to protect them and we intend to strictly enforce the laws protecting them.”

In response to the whales’ predicament, state and federal officials have received more than 2,200 suggestions from the public through the public comment line, 1-916-869-4661, and via email at sacramento.whales@noaa.gov.

“The public’s outpouring of concern and support for the whales has been tremendous but overwhelming. We sincerely appreciate all the interest, suggestions and well wishes we have received,” said NOAA’s Joe Cordaro, whale rescue team coordinator. “The public’s recommendations and suggestions are being reviewed for consideration by the rescue team, but we are unable to respond to them individually.”

“It is extremely important that the public use the telephone line and email address established for public comment and inquiries regarding the whales in the Sacramento River,” said Lt. Commander Sean Ryan of the USCG. “The Coast Guard’s emergency line, the Marine Mammal Center hotline and lines belonging to other stranding network organizations must remain available for calls regarding other critical response needs.”