Stranded in Greece
Injured whale released into the open sea – there is cause for concern
The Gulf of Kyparissia in Greece is one of the few remaining habitats of Cuvier’s beaked whales
© Agami/M. van Duijn / Picture Alliance
A whale was stranded near Athens. He received medical care and was released back into the open sea. With such an injury, it is “not easy” for the whale, says an expert.
The small dolphin-sized whale swam out to Salamis Island after being released. Greek authorities released the cub back into the open sea. As the authorities announced on Saturday, the whale allegedly injured by a ship’s propeller was given antibiotics. He was stranded near Athens.
However, the young animal’s health was still unstable, as Deputy Environment Minister Georgios Amyras told the public broadcaster ERT. However, according to the minister, the whale could not have stayed longer in shallow water: “It is an offshore animal, the longer it stays in shallow water, the greater the health effects.”
Gulf of Kyparissia in Greece is one of a few habitats
The whale was stranded in Palio Faliro, a suburb of the Greek capital. He had been injured in the lower jaw, probably by a ship’s propeller. With such an injury, it is “not easy” for the whale, said Natascha Kominou from the University of Thessaloniki.
The injured marine mammal is one of the Cuvier’s beaked whales. These are up to seven meters long and can dive up to 4000 meters deep. Few habitats remain for Cuvier’s beaked whales, including the Gulf of Kyparissia in Greece.