Rescue of false killer whale successful: plans for release tomorrow

Marine conservation workers plan to release a false killer whale into the wild tomorrow, after a successful rescue and rehabilitation effort spanning 7 days.

Coast guard personnel and the Taiwan Cetacean Society moved the false killer whale to a specialized marine wildlife rescue and rehabilitation facility in Keelung City after finding it beached in Yilan County, November 17.

The false killer whale – actually a species of dolphin – was found to have a lung infection, and was in a weakened state after not having eaten for a long time.

Volunteers worked in shifts to provide 24-hour care for the dolphin in a pool at the Badouzi rescue station. With medical care and feeding, the dolphin gradually regained its strength, and it can now eat around 10 kilograms of fish per day, rescue workers said.

The juvenile false killer whale is the first of its kind to be successfully rescued and rehabilitated in Taiwan, the Taiwan Cetacean Society said.

It is planned to release the animal back into the wild in waters off the coast of Keelung City early tomorrow morning.

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