MONTROSE, Ala. (AP) — The prognosis for a sperm whale that has stranded itself in Mobile Bay is poor, said experts who urged the public to stay away to avoid further stressing the animal.
The Alabama Marine Mammal Stranding Network team continues to monitor the sperm whale in coastal Alabama waters, Dauphin Island Sea Lab said in a weekend update.
The organization said the prognosis for the 35-foot sperm whale remains poor.
The whale initially stranded itself Thursday. It has had the opportunity to swim out to deeper water but has stranded itself again at least twice.
The stranding team urges the public to continue to keep their distance, including flying drones, as this can stress the animal.
“It’s better if they don’t try to come out or get close to it. It is a potentially dangerous situation for the people and it’s potentially very stressful for the animal,” Dr. Ruth Carmichael with the Dauphin Island Sea Lab told WKRG.
“These animals strand for a reason that’s usually because there’s a problem, it’s sick or there’s something wrong,” Carmichael said.
She said they’ll continue to study and monitor the whale, but this time it does not appear to be a good candidate for rescue.