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The US Oceans and Atmospheric Administration has said that an attempt to inject a sick whale killer whale with a deworming drug has failed.
In an update on Saturday, NOAA confirmed that the whale, designated J50, was swimming nearly one kilometer behind the rest of his family, known as J-Pod.
The organization said her condition did not seem to improve and that she had not managed to dose the whale with the dewormer.
J50 is seen with his mother, J16. A stool sample of J16 also showed signs of parasitic worms. (Tasli Shaw / Steveston Seabreeze Adventures)
Michael Millstein of the Oceanic Administration confirmed to the Canadian press last week that parasitic worms have been found in several faecal samples of J-Pod whales with which it shares fish, including the J50 dam, known as the name of J16.
Millstein said the authorities believe that combining worms with an existing infection could put too much pressure on the body because nematode worms are often found in the digestive tract of marine mammals.
J50 seen standing with his pod yesterday near San Juan Island, Wash., Photographed by researchers with permit # 18786. (Katy Foster / NOAA Fisheries)
Saturday's statement confirmed that officials from the US-based organization will work with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to evaluate rescue options for the killer whale.
Last weekend, the killer whale was not seen with his family in the Salish Sea, between Victoria, British Columbia and Seattle, in the state of Washington. The researchers feared she had perished.
J-50 reappeared on September 3rd and researchers spent the last week monitoring the whale.
Our colleagues have observed # J50 yesterday in US waters and fear that his health has not improved. Yesterday's medication attempts have not been successful, but efforts are underway. We continue to work with @NOAAFish_WCRO & other partners for next steps. https://t.co/TJ9aNK9lIk
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