Pilot whale dies off coast despite rescuers’ efforts

YARMOUTH- A pilot whale became stranded and died Saturday after being rescued earlier in the day.

The 1,500-pound female was reported stranded in Winslow Park in Freeport early in the morning.

Volunteers from Marine Animal Lifeline tried to keep the whale’s body supported and its temperature down as they waited for the tide to come in.

The whale was stuck in an area of deep mud and sea grass, and it was impossible to pull it the 100 yards out to open water until then, according to Greg Jakush, president of Marine Animal Lifeline.

Once the animal was afloat, volunteers stayed with the whale for another four hours to guide it out to the ocean.

“We had nearly 10 boats trying to keep her from getting in coves,” Jakush said. “It was littered with islands. She was confused. Her sonar was sending out and all she was seeing was islands.”

The whale must have become disoriented later, he said. It got stranded on Cousins Island and died around 5 p.m., about 12 hours after it was first sighted in Freeport.

Jakush said he feared other pilot whales might be stranded in the area. The animals normally travel in groups called pods and live in deep, wide waters.