Experts with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration ( NOAA ) say they are ready to treat a young cadaverous orca in the first - ever attempt on a wild killer whale – that is , if she is still alive .
That ’s because veterinarians have n’t seen the 3.5 - year - quondam since August 3 . yield her condition , they say there is a chance she might not have made it .
" It is very possible that she has succumbed at this point and that we may never see her again , " sound out Teri Rowles , marine mammal health and stranding coordinator for NOAA , according toThe Associated Press . " We are hopeful that there ’s still a probability that we will be able to assist her with medical intervention to give her enough time to get victuals and treat infections if indeed that is what is causing her decline . "
In an attempt to save the juvenile person , the team will decide whether to administer antibiotics with a flit injector or prospicient pole syringe when , or if , she shows up again . Rowlessaysif all goes according to architectural plan , her team will then adjudicate whether to try feeding her springy salmon from their boat – something that has never been done in the wild . If she takes it and members of the pod respond positively , then the team could choose to administer antibiotic through the Salmon River rather than injectant .
Researchers became cognizant of an odor found on the underweight whale ’s breather that had been establish in other orcas who have croak . A lagger flyover of the pod last week showed her looking lean and in pitiful shape .
This new sea wolf whale is from the same seedpod as the mother seen off the Washington coastcarrying her dead calfthrough the water , balanced on her snout . Both whale are occupier of anendangeredpopulation of just 75 killer whale that comprise three Southern Resident Killer Whale ( SRKW ) pods in Puget Sound . Scientists have n’t been able to determine why thesefamilies are decliningbecause dead orcas typically sink or moisten up in remote surface area , limiting the chance for further enquiry . However , there are some theory .
SKRW giant follow the migration patterns of their master prey , the power salmon . Last year , some of the low figure of salmon turn back to fresh water to spawn were read , and this year ’s forecast depend just as grisly . what is more , these hulk spend bounce , summer , and fall in the waters connecting Washington State to the Gulf Islands in Mexico . This sphere has become a major hub fortransportationand the befoulment that comes with it .
