Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre called on for emergency rescue effort with stranded beluga whale calf

VANCOUVER, July 25, 2014 /CNW/ - As Canada's only Marine Mammal Rescue Centre with the professional expertise to immediately respond to the stranding of cetaceans, the Vancouver Aquarium has been called upon to provide professional emergency assistance with the stranding of a threatened beluga whale calf in the St. Lawrence Estuary.

The Aquarium's Marine Mammal Rescue Centre team, led by Dr. Martin Haulena, will be working closely with Dr. Robert Michaud who is currently en-route to the stranding site. First reports indicate that the beluga calf is small, approximately five feet long and in very critical condition.

Vancouver Aquarium rescue centre team is on emergency stand-by to dispatch a team to provide immediately hands-on assistance. The beluga whale population in the St. Lawrence Estuary is a threatened population with less than 1,000 animals. The Vancouver Aquarium is committed to use every effort to save this stranded beluga whale calf and will deploy all necessary resources to do so.

The Vancouver Aquarium is a self-supporting, non-profit society and does not receive ongoing funds for rescue efforts such as this one. To support the efforts of the Rescue Centre, please visit www.vanaqua.org/mmr.

About the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre
Vancouver Aquarium's Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, presented by Port Metro Vancouver and supported by Teekay Shipping, is a hospital for sick, injured or orphaned marine mammals. The Rescue Centre rescues stranded marine mammals and rehabilitates them for release back into their natural habitat. Donate to the Rescue Centre at www.vanaqua.org/mmr

Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium is a non-profit society dedicated to the conservation of aquatic life. www.vanaqua.org

SOURCE: Vancouver Aquarium Marine Science Centre

Media contact: Deana Lancaster, 604 659 3752, [email protected]