Despite Rescue Efforts, Killer Whale Lost in River Seine Found Dead

According to environmental NGO Sea Shepherd, a sick orca that spent two months swimming up France's Seine river died of natural causes. It was discovered by a Norwegian freight ship making its way up the channel towards Rouen. A sailor found the killer whale lying on its side on the riverbanks between Rouen and Le Havre.

Rescue Attempts

After attempts to lead it back to sea failed, a critically ill orca that became separated from its pod and swam dozens of miles up the Seine in France died of natural causes, according to the advocacy organization Sea Shepherd.

Nous avons malheureusement retrouvé le cadavre de l'orque ce matin à 11h48. Nous sommes actuellement avec elle pour empêcher que son corps ne soit percuté par un navire, ce qui compromettrait l'autopsie. Nous attendons l'équipe mobilisée par l’État pour la récupérer. pic.twitter.com/kHunMaxGyt
— Sea Shepherd France (@SeaShepherdFran) May 30, 2022

"We discovered him late this morning," Sea Shepherd France chair Lamya Essemlali said.

Over the weekend, scientists determined that the 4-meter (13-foot) whale was terminally sick and was likely suffering from mucormycosis, or black fungus, a condition prevalent in whales in North America but never before seen in Europe.

Observing the Orca for Weeks

For weeks, French authorities have been tracking the orca that has been trapped in the Seine River. It has been sighted several times, swimming 30 kilometers from the English Channel since April 5.

After unsuccessful attempts to lead the whale into the water, a committee of scientists monitoring the animal decided to euthanize it on Sunday.

They attempted to guide it back to the water using drones playing orca noises but were unsuccessful. This strategy was employed to avoid getting boats close to the animal for fear of stressing it out.

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Orca's Reaction

The whale responded wildly and incoherently to the sounds during an attempt to coax it back out to sea with a drone broadcasting orca sounds on Saturday, according to the prefecture of the Seine maritime area. The whale's recordings recorded what they said were distress sounds.

Essemlali claimed it resembled little more than "a ghost of an orca" on Monday, and it died before euthanasia could be attempted.

According to the prefecture, mucormycosis may travel to the heart, lungs, and brain after infecting the skin of vulnerable animals, which explains the whale's bewildering behavior. The sickness appeared to be advanced in this case, and the whale was most likely suffering greatly.

Already in Poor Condition

Officials say the orca was in poor condition after spending so much time in fresh water that it had gotten quite frail. They also suspected it was suffering from mucormycosis, or black fungus, affecting its organs, skin, and brain functions.

The orca's body is presently being pulled to the Seine's banks. "Lifting mechanisms will be implemented to allow specialist vets and biologists to carry out an autopsy and sampling procedures," the Seine-Maritime prefecture states.