Beluga whale euthanized after rescue attempt in Seine

A beluga whale stranded in France’s Seine river was euthanized during a rescue attempt on Wednesday, August 10. Beluga whales can be seen swimming in the locks of the Seine river in the French department of Eure. She uses a net to pen a beluga whale, lift it out of the river and transfer it to a truck. Local media reported that the animals were planned to be transported to the coastal city of Ouistream, but the decision was made to euthanize them on the way. Sapeurs-Pompiers 91 veterinarian Florence Olivé Courtois said in a video published on the Calvados province Twitter page that the decision to euthanize was made after the whale stopped breathing during transport. “We decided that the animal’s suffering was obvious and that it was not appropriate to release it and that it should proceed to euthanasia,” said Olivet Courtois.Credit: Sea Shepherd via Storyful