katie tully
ashleey luvs roosters
AUSTRALIA'S Defence Forces have been called in to help save Colin, Sydney's stranded baby humpback, after the discovery of equipment which could be used for a rescue.
The Daily Telegraph reports Acting NSW Environment Minister Nathan Rees late yesterday contacted Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon asking for his urgent assistance as the clearly distressed calf was again seen nuzzling boats in Pittwater in a futile search for its mother.
Pictures: Colin the stranded baby humpback whale
Mal Holland: The Colin dilemma is a natural reaction
Delivering the grim news that today was "decision-day" for Colin, Mr Rees said the defence force plan may by the last hope before experts euthanased the whale calf.
"I understand the Department of Defence has some specialist equipment at its disposal, namely a fuel bladder, which could be used to transport the orphaned whale calf in Sydney's Pittwater," Mr Rees wrote on a fax sent last night to Mr Fitzgibbon's Canberra office.
"I would be grateful for urgent advice as to whether the Department of Defence could make this equipment available as a priority to the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service for this purpose."
The fuel cell would be used like a giant inflatable raft to tow Colin out to sea and wait for a passing pod of humpbacks, in the slim chance he may be adopted.
The equipment is in Townsville and permission is being sought to fly it to Sydney overnight in preparation for a final attempt at a rescue some time today.
The plan will be put to a panel of experts this morning who will face the grim decision of having to end Colin's suffering if it fails.
Meantime, vets have confirmed that Colin's condition is worsening. He is starving and becoming listless.
A spokesman for Mr Rees said the NSW Government was flying down Dr David Bligh, a senior marine veterinarian from SeaWorld Gold Coast, for a second opinion on Colin's health this morning.
Following his assessment, there will be crisis talks between NPWS, RSPCA, ORCCA, SeaWorld and Taronga experts to make a decision on the next step.
The exercise to move Colin with this equipment would also need to be subjected to a sign-off from the vets and other experts.
"I am advised tomorrow is decision day," Mr Rees said.
"Colin's physical health is deteriorating. We will have to be guided by the experts as to whether his health is up to a further attempt at getting him out to open water and, if not, what the best option is."
Experts have warned that saving Colin the humpback whale by hand rearing him could cost upwards of $2 million and may not even work.
Experts have advised the Department of Environment and Conservation in Sydney that a 10 gigalitre pool, the size of four Olympic pools would be required to house the animal to hand rear it until it was 11 months old.
But the calf, who's heart-rending plight has gripped the hearts of people worldwide, has shown remarkable resilience since being spotted nuzzling boats on Monday.
Taronga Zoo veterinarian Dr Larry Vogelnest yesterday assessed Colin's condition as National Parks and wildlife teams admitted euthanasia would ultimately be the "most likely option".
National Parks and Wildlife regional manager Chris McIntosh said the heartbreaking job would be conducted in very shallow water, using an overdose of anaesthetic.
Another international whale expert who was the first to successfully raise an orphan whale, has urged authorities to force-feed Colin.
In 1997 Jim Antrim, former vice-president of zoological operations at SeaWorld San Diego, co-ordinated the ground-breaking rescue of a three-day-old grey whale found dehydrated and near death. After 14 months of care the young whale was successfully released into the wild.
"Based on my 35 years experience I think your whales only chance of survival is with immediate human intervention," Mr Antrim said.
tbh i think they should put the poor thing down
watching Dr. Karl just then and he explained the implications of trying to save it, no language, no social skills, no feeding skills and there is no guarantee intervention will be successful anyway.kill the whale
