Rare Dwarf Sperm Whale Rescued By US Airmen

US Airmen at Kadena Air Base in Japan teamed up with locals to save an injured dwarf sperm whale trapped in shallow waters. 

Air Force retired Master Sgt, David Lacar, was the first to attend to the whale:

“There was a lot of blood in the water and it kept bashing itself against the rocks. Rather than let it continue to injure itself, I gently guided it into deeper water.”

For two hours Lacar held the whale stable until he was relieved by dive instructors and personnel in wetsuits from the 18th Force Support Squadron.

When a veterinarian team from a local aquarium arrived, they inserted an IV and disinfected the fatigued whale's wounds. 

It took fours hours for the mammal to be stabilised and under the command of Sgt. Oswaldo Cerrato, 18th Security Forces Squadron flight lead, it was transferred by crane to a vehicle. He said:

“Everyone knew they needed to help. There was no hesitation, I immediately knew I needed to help out.”

The veterinarian team poured water onto the whale and when its breathing regulated it was taken to a local aquarium. 

Despite having an estimated 20 percent chance of surviving its injuries, the whale is expected to make a full recovery.

For luck, the rescue team named it Marino. Sgt Cerrato explains:

“We had initially named it Marina until we were informed by the doctor that it was a male. I hope that it survives and that we are able to aid in getting it back to freedom. I feel blessed that my career in the Air Force was able to help the community and Mother Nature.”