Killer whales freed from stranding in Russia’s Far East

Vladivostok: Rescuers freed four killer whales stranded in an estuary in Russia's Far East territory of Kamchatka, said regional Minister for Emergency Situations Sergei Lebedev on Wednesday. District head Andrei Vorovsky confirmed that all four whales that had been stranded for hours in a low tide were alive. Local volunteers, staff of the State Inspection of Small Vessels and rescue workers doused the whales while waiting for a high tide to help them push the whales to deeper waters, he said. "The whales are now swimming freely. A boat is escorting them out. Good luck to them, and I hope they find their way to open waters. It looks like this story will have a happy ending ... We won't know for sure until morning if they've made it to the estuary, but I trust their natural instincts," Lebedev said. He added that the boat would continue to escort the whales as long as they remain visible, expressing his gratitude to all who participated in the rescue operation. Earlier, Lebedev said the whales were trappe d in the estuary near the Ustyevo village in the Sobolevsky District. The estuary's muddy bottom made it impossible for rescue equipment to reach the stranded animals. Source: The Namibia News Agency