Colin the Humpback Whale, not a question but a sad reality.?

Question

I've been moved to tears today about the passing of Colin the Humpback Whale, that got stranded in Sydney's inner harbour for almost a week. Despite all the "professional" advice on what was best for Colin, it's still so terribly sad that a beautiful creature, helpless without it's Mother had to be put to sleep. No more suffering, starving and worst of all, probably so distressed as to what was going on, no Mum in sight. I'm wondering if the Mother knows of this outcome, they seem to have powers of communication that we humans have still to learn of. I console myself by knowing that there is no more suffering and he is at peace. why do these things happen?

Only GENUINE animal lovers answer please.

Answer 1

I would have to say........."It's the circle of life!"  like that elton john song in the lion king.  Get it?

Answer 2

It's a horrible horrible thing, that sadly happens in nature. Young animals are abandoned by their mothers or become separated for many reasons. I am not a marine biologist, but I do understand that some bird species will not recognize their young if they are touched by a human, and it has to do with skin oils that we deposit on their feathers. It would be so great if we could devise a way to help whales that become separated from their mothers at such a young age.

Answer 3

I'm sad that they had to euthanize him, but at least he isn't suffering anymore.

Answer 4

I have to say that I am appalled that this could happened. First, humpbacks are an ENDANGERED species, not to mention it's only a baby about 2-3 weeks old, something more SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE. Second, Australia acts like humans taking care of a baby whale is unthinkable and an impossible tasks, well then explain  J.J the baby grey whale that was rescued and lived in Sea World for over a year until it's release:

"Australia’s National Park Service consulted with Sea World and was told that when J.J., the stranded gray whale, was raised at the San Diego facility in the 1990s it required 30-person teams working around the clock for 14 months in a 1.7-million-gallon pool that had to be partially drained and refilled every two hours to flush waste.

Not to mention the cost of milk. J.J. gained 8 tons before her 1998 release off Point Loma. She was tracked briefly and faded into obscurity. " - Los Angeles Times

I guess this was too hard of a task for Australia, even the fact that it's an endangered species didn't change their minds. And if you think a humpback would require more work than a grey whale you're wrong, adult humpbacks and blue whales grow to be approximately the same size of 16 m; humpbacks can sometimes be smaller (Wikipedia). The Los Angeles Times even posted a link to this youtube video which makes Sea World look cruel so just think how much crueler Australia is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgUJB0dOs...

Frankly I'm surprised out how little media attention this has received. As an animal lover it's just too shocking for words.