Wildlife officials trying to free stranded whale

SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WLNE) — Reports of a live stranded whale came in around 6:30 Thursday morning.

The federally-protected fin whale showed up close to shore in South Kingstown at Potter Pond. It is believed to be around 40 feet long.

“We have had un-various seals and such on East Matunuck State Beach but not this since we have been here for 20 years,” said Pat Crandall of Snug Harbor.

Veterinarians, the DEM, and Mystic Aquarium worked to do a health assessment on the whale earlier Thursday and now they will continue to monitor the animal.

Manager of the animal rescue program at Mystic Aquarium Sarah Callan said, “It is a tricky location where it is very shallow, there are lots of sandbars in the area and there is only one channel in and out of this area.”

“This is very unusual. I have lived here just shy of 50 years. We live right on the pond,” said Wakefield resident Nancy Northup.

Callan explained the whale is in very thin body condition and is very compromised.

“An ideal scenario when high tide comes the animal could refloat and swim out but with a compromised animal we are monitoring it very closely. We don’t want an animal to be suffering for very long,” added Callan.

Mystic Aquarium explained this is not an easy fix and the team wants what is best for the animal.

They will continue to monitor the tide schedule.

High tide came in around noon on Thursday but the whale did not move.

Callan added, “The tide is not on our side. It is really tough with the wind conditions, the weather conditions are not on the animal’s side unfortunately.”

A decision on how to help the animal will come later Thursday or early Friday as experts continue to monitor the situation.

Stick with ABC 6 News for continued updates on the stranded whale.