Residents and Police Evacuate Stranded False Killer Whale in Polewali Mandar

Mamuju (ANTARA) - A false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), known locally as the false killer whale, was successfully evacuated and released into deep waters after becoming stranded at Bajoe Beach in Polewali Mandar Regency, West Sulawesi Province, on Thursday.

“Information about the stranded marine mammal was first reported by Sanusi, the head of Bajoe Hamlet in Binuang District, Polewali Mandar Regency,” said Muhammad Yusri, founder of Sahabat Penyu, in Polewali Mandar.

Upon receiving the information, Yusri and the Sahabat Penyu team immediately went to the site to assess the situation and assist with the rescue effort.

The evacuation was then carried out together with local residents and personnel from the Marine Police Unit (Polair) of the Polewali Mandar Police using a boat.

“A preliminary examination showed the whale was about four metres long, appeared weak and had several wounds on parts of its body,” said the man familiarly known as Yusri Mampie.

The evacuation on the ground faced a number of obstacles, ranging from the low tide and strong easterly winds to a lack of supporting rescue equipment.

Yusri said residents had in fact tried to push the whale back out to sea, but because of its weak condition it became stranded again.

He said handling a stranded marine mammal requires the correct approach so as not to worsen its condition.

“With proper handling and adequate equipment, the animal’s chances of returning to its habitat will be greater,” he said.

Although the whale was successfully evacuated to deep waters, Sahabat Penyu continues to monitor developments after the evacuation.

“Tomorrow (Friday) we will still be monitoring the post-evacuation situation to make sure the whale has truly reached open waters,” Yusri said.