Aquarium says odds 'stacked against' rescued false killer whale

CTV Vancouver: 'False killer whale' in rough shape The calf can't swim or float on his own and is in critical condition.

A rare cetacean known as a "false killer whale calf" that washed ashore on Vancouver Island “has the odds stacked against him” as he fights for his life, say veterinarians at the Vancouver Aquarium.

A team from the Marine Mammal Rescue Centre rescued the distressed creature after it was found Thursday morning along the sandy shores of North Chesterman beach, near Tofino.

It is believed the young male is four to six weeks old. He is underweight and can’t swim on his own.

“He can’t swim, he can’t float, he needs to be supported 24 hours a day,” Vancouver Aquarium Dr. Martin Haulena said.

“You’re dealing with all the nasty things that have happened because he got stranded.”

This type of cetacean is actually a member of the dolphin family, but commonly mistaken as the more commonly known killer whale -- or orca -- because of its colouring. It’s rarely seen in B.C. waters, and it’s considered to be a tropical or subtropical species.

“So there are some interesting questions about how it got here, and what it’s doing here,” said Haulena.

“He’s got such a long road ahead. This is a critical time.”

Crews transported the calf to the Vancouver Aquarium, where researchers and volunteers did what’s called hand-held swims with the mammal overnight.

The facility says the false killer whale, just shy of two metres long, was discovered in poor condition.

Haulena said the cetacean has rake marks on his face that may have come from other marine mammals “beating up on him,” as well as other injuries from washing up on shore.

“[The] fresher wounds are mostly due to the stranding, getting caught up on the rocks, clam beds and barnacles,” Haulena said.

Initial tests show that the mammal started drinking sea water, and Haulena says the odds aren’t good for cetaceans that wash up on shore.

“There are so many things that go wrong,” he said.

Marine mammal experts are now trying to determine why the young dolphin became beached, and how it was separated from its mother.

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans will determine whether the mammal will be able to be released back into the wild.

There are no other false killer whales in captivity anywhere in the U.S.