False killer whale stranded on Vancouver Island beach

Published 1:31 pm Friday, July 11, 2014

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Vancouver Aquarium staffers are trying to save a young false killer whale that was found stranded on a beach Thursday near Tofino, on the west coast of Vancouver Island.

Veterinarian Martin Haulena says the male calf is between 4 and 6 weeks old. Aquarium staffers are holding it in a sling in the water.

Haulena says it is in very poor shape. It is being fed formula every two hours and treated with antibiotics and steroids.

False killer whales are a species of dolphins. Sightings are rare and few biologists have experience with them.