June 18, 2010

Denmark leaves stranded whale to die naturally

Denmark leaves stranded whale to die naturally (AP)
A fin whale stranded in a shallow fjord on the western coast at Vejle, Denmark Wednesday June 16, 2010 is sprayed with water. Officials say a fin whale is stranded in a shallow fjord on the western coast of Denmark and is fighting for its life. Marine biologist Carl Christian Kinze says the 50-foot (15-meter) whale is unable to move and could be stuck on its belly. It is not known if the animal is ill or disoriented. (AP Photo/Polfoto/Benny F. Nielsen)

(AP) -- A government agency says a fin whale that has been stranded in a shallow fjord in western Denmark will be left to die without any human intervention.

The whale is suspected to be ill. The Forest and Nature Agency says in a statement it has decided to let the whale "die a natural death" after consulting with experts in Denmark and abroad.

Spokesman Peter Bjerremand said he sailed out early Friday to gauge the 30-ton baleen whale's situation. He says it was still alive and its condition unchanged.

The 50-foot (15-meter) mammal was stranded Wednesday in the Vejle Fjord, 135 miles (220 kilometers) west of . It is believed to be about three to four years old.

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