After an intense 40-hour effort, Operation Whale at Ganpatipule Beach in Ratnagiri, involving various departments and the Coast Guard, triumphantly concluded on Tuesday night at 11:15 PM. The collaborative initiative successfully released a stranded 30-foot-long whale calf back into the sea.
The jubilant atmosphere at Ganpatipule Beach resonated with cheers as the whale calf swam approximately four to five kilometers into the sea. The ordeal began on November 13 when locals discovered the stranded calf on the shore between 6:30 to 7 in the morning. Despite initial attempts to release it on the same day, the calf persistently returned to the shore.
Undeterred, the operation resumed on the morning of November 14, leading to a triumphant release of the whale calf. However, concerns linger among marine biologists regarding the calf’s future. The experts highlight the potential consequences of internal organ damage when marine mammals are stranded, as the weight of their bodies on impact can lead to organ collapse.
This particular calf, found on Ganpatipule’s shores, appears reliant on maternal nourishment. Even with its successful return to the sea, marine biologists emphasize the need for vigilant observation over the next eight days to ascertain its survival. The rescue operation’s success marks a crucial step, but the calf’s well-being remains a subject of ongoing concern and study.
