A baby sperm whale that was recently rescued in La Jolla has been spotted in a kelp bed near the San Clemente pier.
Fisherman Eric Smith spotted the immature whale Monday about three-quarters of a mile from shore and thought it was dead at first.
On Dec. 13, Sea World staff saved the whale, administered antibiotics and escorted it back to sea after it washed ashore and was wounded on some rocks.
The whale has been separated from its mother and needs milk to survive.
The square-faced whale turned up around 9:30 p.m. Sunday near La Jolla Underwater Park. The animal cut himself, drawing blood after rolling around in the rocky surf.
Twenty SeaWorld San Diego employees, including a veterinarian and a curator, worked through the night.
When the crew showed up they drew blood from the whale and injected him with antibiotics. Then around 1 a.m., they pushed him back into the ocean about a quarter-mile.
Local
It was thefirst time in 25 years, a sperm whale had washed ashore in San Diego.
Dave Anderson, owner of Capt. Dave Dolphin and Whale Safari near the San Clemente pier, said the whale is dying of starvation.
Marine mammal experts say it will be difficult to stage a rescue until good weather returns, which could be as late as Christmas.
If you see a stranded animal on the San Diego coastline, call SeaWorld San Diego by dialing (800) 541 – SEAL.
