A dramatic wildlife rescue unfolded off the coast of Alaska when a young killer whale became stranded on a rocky shoreline and was unable to return to the water.
The approximately 20-foot-long orca was discovered alive on the rugged rocks of Prince of Wales Island on a Thursday morning. At the time, the whale was stranded several feet above sea level, leaving it vulnerable as it waited for the tide to rise.
After the stranded orca was reported, the U.S. Coast Guard was alerted and wildlife officials were contacted. The rescuers faced a race against time: the massive marine mammal needed to remain cool and wet while waiting for the water level to rise enough for it to swim away.
According to NOAA spokesperson Julie Fair, the boat that discovered the whale was given instructions to carefully use seawater to keep the orca wet. They were also advised to keep birds away from the stranded animal while wildlife officials made their way to the scene.
The group continued caring for the whale, repeatedly wetting its body and protecting it from additional stress. Their actions helped give the orca a chance to survive while everyone waited for nature to provide the final piece of the rescue.
Eventually, the rising tide transformed the situation.
What had looked like a desperate struggle on the rocks became a remarkable rescue, giving the stranded killer whale the opportunity to return to the sea.