MCB HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- During the past two weeks, volunteers from the University of Hawaii Marine Mammal Research Program, and tenants of the base, have been caring for and monitoring two whales that were found stranded at the Hau'ula Beach Park Aug. 16.
After transferring the whales into a larger open-water rehabilitation facility late last week, one of the melon-headed whales - the weaker of the two known as the number two whale - didn't cope so well after the transfer. The weaker of the two whales was euthanized Sunday, after a determination by the attending veterinarian that the animal was suffering.
"Midday Sunday, the animal began having a hard time supporting himself and began sinking to the bottom," said Marlee Breese, animal care specialist with the Marine Mammal Research Program. "The veterinarians and other care personnel agreed that it was in the animal's best interest to end the suffering."
According to Breese, any time an animal strands, the long-term chances of survival are very poor.
A necropsy, or animal autopsy, was performed on the animal in an attempt to learn as much as possible about what could have caused the whales to strand themselves.
"We learned that the animal had a weak heart, which is something that is very hard for any creature to overcome," said Breese. "It was just his time to go."
After the number two whale was put down, the number one whale was moved back into the smaller holding tank for closer observation, and where more intensive care could be provided.
"The combination of heat and radical tides in the open-water facility was not helping our care situation, so we moved the animal back to the smaller pool," said Breese.
The caretakers have been feeding and medicating the number one whale, while observing his internal functions using new information learned from the necropsy of the other whale.
"The size of the bladder, and course of the intestinal tract, help us determine whether the other animal is well hydrated and is processing food properly," said Breese. "Hydration is very important in the animal's survival."
According to Breese, the number one whale has not shown any difference in behavior since the loss of his counterpart. Animal care specialists will continue to do everything they can for the survival of the remaining whale.