Turkey: Rescued sperm Whale

A sperm whale was found entangled in a gill net in 21 June in Fethiye-Turkey (Aegean Sea). She was female and 12 m in length. Turkish Marine Research Foundation (TUDAV) experts organized a rescue operation and animal was rescued after a 3 hour operation. Pieces of net were cut with knife and removed from part of the lower jaw and tail . Turkish navy divers also participated in the rescue operation . The animal is now safe and all body functions look O.K. During the operation skin samples for genetic studies were taken and sounds produced were recorded with a hydrophone.