Beluga whale in France’s River Seine to be moved

SAINT-PIERRE-LAGARENNE, France — A beluga whale which strayed into the River Seine, far from its usual habitat of arctic or subarctic waters, was to be moved to a saltwater river basin close to the sea on Tuesday, marine conservation group Sea Shepherd France said.

The beluga, which appears malnourished, was first seen in the Seine last week.

While transferring the whale carries risks, Sea Shepherd, which is involved in the rescue operation, said it could not remain in the warm, nonsalty river water much longer.

“Moving it to a salt water pool will allow us to monitor it better and try and treat it,” Lamya Essemlali, president of Sea Shepherd France, said of the weakened beluga.

Attempts to feed the beluga squid and live trout have failed and rescuers suspect the beluga is sick, though local authorities said it had shown signs of improvement after receiving a cocktail of vitamins and antibiotics.