A baby whale has died after failing to find its mother in New Zealand

First change: 24/07/2021 – 03:08

Security forces confirmed this Saturday that Orca’s baby Doa, who was captured after being stranded off the coast of New Zealand, had failed in his fight for survival.

The Cetacean, which is less than 2.5 meters long and between four and six months old, made headlines when it separated from its mother two weeks ago and appeared on shore near Wellington.

He was still breastfeeding, and hundreds of people volunteered to continue treating him because he could not live alone at sea.

The guards, who named the killer whale in the Maori language Dova, were placed in an emergency detention in the coastal suburb of Plymouth, where they were fed once every four hours, while sea and air operations were carried out in search of the mother.

Whale Rescue, an organization that supported Dova’s care, posted on social media on Friday night that his health was rapidly deteriorating.

Veterinarians at the scene rushed to the scene and treated him but were unable to save him, they said in a statement.

Ian Angus, marine life manager at the Department of Defense, commented that they already knew that the longer Dova was held captive by his mother, the worse his health would be.

“Dova died soon after, surrounded by love and her last days were as comfortable as possible,” Angus noted.

Although they are called killer whales, orcas are the largest species of dolphins, with males up to thirty feet long.

Recognized for their distinctive black and white colors, they are considered the most endangered species in New Zealand, with populations ranging from 150 to 200 specimens.

© 2021 AFP