PUNTA MOGOTES, April 10 — Environmental authorities and security forces in Argentina struggled to save a humpback whale yesterday that was stranded in the resort of Punta Mogotes in the city of Mar del Plata, about 400 kilometres south of the capital.
Rescuers have been working around the clock to try to save the whale since it was spotted on Saturday by locals.
According to local media reports, the young whale is about three to four years of age, weighs nearly 10 tons and is about 32 feet long.
Video footage showed rescuers using buckets to soak the whale, while heavy machinery was used to clear sand on the beach in order to try to drag the whale back into the sea during high tide.
Conservationists said it is unclear why the whale became stranded but they hope blood tests will be able to shed light on the cetacean's health and probable cause of beaching. — Reuters
