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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 2, 2008
Update: RARE RESCUE OF HARBOUR PORPOISE
AT VANCOUVER AQUARIUM’S MARINE MAMMAL RESCUE CENTRE
Vancouver, BC – Staff and volunteers at the Vancouver Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre continue to care for a rescued harbour porpoise calf.
The young female porpoise had been stranded on a beach near Victoria, B.C. last Tuesday (August 26). She was rescued and arrived at the Aquarium’s Marine Mammal Rescue Centre via transport by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. This rescue of a live, harbour porpoise is a rare occurrence in British Columbia.
Upon arrival, the harbour porpoise was estimated to be 1-2 months of age and weighed 12.7 kilograms. Today, staff and volunteers continue the 24-hour observation schedule initiated upon the calf’s arrival. Feedings are conducted every two hours via a tube passed into her stomach. The calf is receiving her nourishment from a blend of herring, salmon oil, electrolytes, vitamins & nutritional supplements. She is now swallowing the tube voluntarily.
Vancouver Aquarium Staff Veterinarian, Dr. Martin Haulena, updates her condition:
“The porpoise is doing slightly better which is encouraging. It’s too early to know how her condition will be in the longer term and we are working with her day-by-day. She appears comfortable in a new sling designed to aid in her swimming, something she’s unable to do well without assistance. She is gaining weight which is a good sign but a difficult result to accomplish.”
Volunteers are vital to the Vancouver Aquarium and recruitment is now on. To learn more, please contact Volunteer Services at 604.659.3478 or vanaqua.org/volunteer.
The Vancouver Aquarium is a self-supporting, non-profit association dedicated to
effecting the conservation of aquatic life through display and interpretation, conservation practices, education, research, and direct action.
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Media Contact:
Kent Hurl
Supervisor, Public Relations
604.659.3752
kent.hurl@vanaqua.org
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