SYDNEY, Australia — An injured and abandoned baby humpback whale was euthanized by wildlife officials today after veterinarians determined it was too weak to survive on its own.
The whale calf, which Australians nicknamed “Colin,” was first sighted Sunday and began trying to suckle from boats it apparently mistook for its mother.
The 14-foot-long animal was guided close to the shore and could be seen thrashing about. Officials reached out to stroke the calf before others hoisted it onto a tarp. The whale was then pulled into a tent on the beach.
Roger Bell, spokesman for the National Parks and Wildlife Service, said the animal was given an anesthetic in the water before a lethal drug was administered on shore. He said it died about 9 a.m.
Officials believe the 1- to 2-month-old calf was abandoned by its mother, possibly because it was ill.
