Endobronchial sand casts: an unusual marker of saltwater immersion in a juvenile pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps).

摘要

A juvenile pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps) was found wedged among rocks at a beach near Adelaide, South Australia. It was alive but bleeding from injuries to the ventral surface and flanks. The animal was freed but despite numerous attempts by onlookers to guide it back to sea the whale was not able to swim normally, and each time floated back into shallow waters, rolling over in the one meter high waves. Representatives of Ihe Australian Marine Wildlife Research and Rescue Organization were called and, given the condition of the whale, a decision was made to euthanize it with an intravenous injection of pentobarbitone.