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An injured baby whale feels a human touch
By MONIQUE FIELDS
© St. Petersburg Times, published August 16, 2001
CLEARWATER -- George, the infant sperm whale, has had a tough couple of weeks.
First, he was attacked by sharks who mangled one of his flukes so badly he couldn't swim. Then on Aug. 7, he beached himself at St. George Island near Apalachicola. And a week ago, he was brought to Clearwater to recover from his wounds at Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
The 12-foot, 1,128-pound baby whale, named George for the island where he was found, is in serious condition. He is anemic, and it is not clear what his prognosis is or when he might be released.
Thanks to antibiotics, a custom-made formula and 24-hour care, he has made slight improvements.
His injuries are healing, and he has a hearty appetite. On Wednesday, he guzzled formula, a mixture of powdered milk for puppies and mammals, vitamin C, safflower oil, and other nutrients, in seconds. After lunch, he made his way around the tank for 20 minutes with the help of trainers, volunteers and interns.
Still, biologists at the aquarium are cautious. They say fewer than 10 percent of mammals found beached survive their ordeal.
For now, George's new home is a saltwater tank where he is harnessed in a stretcher, fed by humans and taken for short "walks" around the perimeter of the tank.
"He doesn't know we're trying to help, but he's been cooperative," said spokesman Scott Swaim.
Many more encouraging signs are needed.
"Our main goal is to have him swim, because out in the wild they are always moving. They never stop," said Chris Koberna, director of animal care at the aquarium.
George's recovery has been hampered because biologists know very little about infant sperm whales. George is about 2 months old, and it is rare for a calf to come so close to shore. So researchers have relied on trial and error and the advice of other facilities, including Sea World, to help figure out the proper nutritional mix for the whale.
"Right now we're seeing what agrees with him," Koberna said.
The cost for George's care, including antibiotics and 7 gallons of custom-made formula, averages $500 a day. The figure could rise if the aquarium secures a drug to treat his anemia and help him produce more red blood cells.
Trainers keep him moving after each feeding so his muscles won't stiffen. They sooth him with the palms of their hands, and they constantly splash water on him to make sure his skin doesn't dry out.
And while he doesn't understand a word of it, they talk and sing to him.
So far, they have learned that George doesn't care for Tomorrow from the Broadway play, Annie, or Singing in the Rain, the title song from the film of the same name. George thrashes about when he hears either of those songs. Surprisingly, he calms down when he hears rock band AC/DC's You Shook Me All Night Long, said Coni Romano, senior marine mammal trainer.
The deep clicking sound George makes reverberates in Romano's chest. At other times, he creates sounds similar to an elephant or an adult puckering his lips.
It has been amazing to work with George, she said. "We want to do a lot of the same things his mother would have done for him in the wild."
Then she, like everyone taking care of the fragile whale, turns serious again.
"So far, we're keeping our fingers crossed and hoping he pulls through this," Romano said. "Of course, the chances are small."
Want to make a donation? Call the Clearwater Marine Aquarium at 727-441-1790.