A male humpback whale calf nearly five meters long was rescued and returned to the sea at the Barra de la Cruz–Playa Grande Sanctuary in Oaxaca after being stranded by high tide. The cetacean, still showing signs of its recent birth, received care from authorities and local experts. The successful operation underscores the significance of Oaxaca's coasts for this species' reproduction.
The incident took place between the night of Friday, February 6, and the morning of Saturday, February 7, in one of Oaxaca's protected natural areas along the coast. During marine turtle monitoring patrols, staff from the National Commission of Protected Natural Areas (Conanp) located the specimen, a calf about 4.60 meters long with a 1.36-meter caudal fin. High tide is believed to have caused the stranding, and the calf still retained remnants of its umbilical cord, confirming a recent birth.
The protocol for attending to marine mammal strandings was activated immediately. Specialists from the civil association Kutzari A.C., residents of the Playa Grande and Barra de la Cruz communities, and surfers in the area participated. Efforts focused on constant rehydration of the animal and guiding it toward open sea for a safe return.
The case was notified to the Federal Attorney's Office for Environmental Protection (Profepa) and the Secretariat of the Navy (Semar). Joining the operation were Civil Protection of Santa María Huatulco, the Fire Department, the Huatulco Wildlife Committee, and veterinarian zootecnist Salvador Neri Antonio, showcasing strong inter-agency coordination.
According to the official report, the calf re-entered the ocean without visible injuries and resumed normal swimming, affirming the intervention's success. Oaxaca's coasts, including sites like Mazunte, Huatulco, and Puerto Escondido, are crucial for the humpback whale, which travels about 8,000 kilometers from the North Pacific to reproduce in warm waters. Protecting these ecosystems is key to the survival of this iconic Pacific species.
