A beached sperm whale was euthanized last week in Madeira Beach after a UF veterinarian played an instrumental role in the decision.
The animal’s thin body and location signaled that it was chronically ill, said Mike Walsh, a clinical associate professor and co-director of Aquatic Animal Health at UF.
“Because it was so sick and the way it looked visually, it wouldn’t have served any purpose to tow the animal back out,” Walsh said.
More than 40 people were involved in the decision to euthanize the whale, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the National Marine Fisheries Service and UF.
Those involved in the decision to euthanize the whale wanted to make sure it was done in a humane way. The whale was given a powerful sedative at 2 p.m. to ease its pain. After 30 minutes, potassium chloride was pumped into its chest, Walsh said.
“People also need to realize that as veterinarians, we don’t take an animal’s life easily,” Walsh said. “We want to make sure we’re doing it for the right reasons.”
Alejandro Grau, a 22-year-old UF agricultural and biological engineering senior on the pre-vet track, said he supports euthanization if it is the most humane option.
“If they can prove it would stop the suffering, in my opinion, it was adequate,” Grau said.
A version of this story ran on page 8 on 11/6/2013 under the headline "UF vet plays role in whale euthanization"
