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Stranded whale in Mobile Bay euthanized

In this undated file photo released by SEARCH, Inc. in May 2019, archaeological survey teams work to locate the slave ship Clotilda in delta waters north of Mobile Bay, Ala. Alabama has filed a federal court claim to ownership of the wreckage of the last ship known to bring enslaved people from Africa to the U.S., a move the archaeologist who helped find the ship says will bolster protection of the site. (Daniel Fiore/SEARCH, Inc. via AP, File)
In this undated file photo released by SEARCH, Inc. in May 2019, archaeological survey teams work to locate the slave ship Clotilda in delta waters north of Mobile Bay, Ala. Alabama has filed a federal court claim to ownership of the wreckage of the last ship known to bring enslaved people from Africa to the U.S., a move the archaeologist who helped find the ship says will bolster protection of the site. (Daniel Fiore/SEARCH, Inc. via AP, File) In this undated file photo released by SEARCH, Inc. in May 2019, archaeological survey teams work to locate the slave ship Clotilda in delta waters north of Mobile Bay, Ala. Alabama has filed a federal court claim to ownership of the wreckage of the last ship known to bring enslaved people from Africa to the U.S., a move the archaeologist who helped find the ship says will bolster protection of the site. (Daniel Fiore/SEARCH, Inc. via AP, File)

By Associated Press 2 min read

MONTROSE, Ala. (AP) – Veterinarians on Wednesday euthanized a sperm whale that had been stranded in Mobile Bay and was no longer able to swim, a conservation group announced.

The Dauphin Island Sea Lab Marine Mammal Research Program said the whale was sedated and euthanized Wednesday morning.

“Euthanasia was the best option for this animal who was suffering and unable to swim and survive any longer in the wild. The process went very smoothly. We were able to find a window of calm weather to sedate the animal and administer the medication necessary,” the agency said in a news release.

The 35-foot whale had been in the bay for about a week and repeatedly stranded itself, a sign that something was wrong, biologists said.

The whale initially stranded itself Thursday. It had the opportunity to swim out to deeper water but stranded itself again at least twice, the organization said over the weekend.