Porpoise rescued from Outer Banks dies after airplane trip to New York

Actually I think I like Michelle's solution better. If the death of this mammal really bothers you, you should donate time &/or funds to the facility in the area that is best equipped to handle the situation. Adding what is needed to an existing center, with experts already working there is probably the most feasible solution. lt60's idea, although a great one, is likely to be too cost prohibitive, as what he is recommending would have to be built from the ground(or water) up.. As to the decision that was made to fly this animal out, they did what they thought was the best for the animal. That's all you can ask of anyone...no comment on phrog's philosophy

someone needs to listen to lt60 and what was posted way below. What this person is say makes SO MUCH SENSE.

I was really hoping this little guy/girl would make it. This sux.

Phrog, you're an idiot.

For those of you whom believe the facility in Virginia Beach is lacking, please write a check for the Stranding Center so their tanks and facility can accomadate larger mammals; so they are adequately funded and can garner more resources. Also, ask the city to build a larger Center. Come on, think about what you are all writing. If the Staff and Volunteers from the Stranding Center had not brought in Wilber, then he would have ended up being scavenged by gulls. At least they gave him a fighting chance. Furthermore, if there is a huge issue, then volunteer yourself and help make a difference. Don't just complain and do nothing.

Someone in this forum took my words a little too personally... notice that I did not single anyone out in my comments, but I was quoted in someone's response. One piece of information that was quoted was “Park ranger found the porpoise washed up on Cape Hatteras National Seashore on Feb. 26 in rough shape.”

But if you read the ENTIRE story instead of picking out the pieces that fit your opinion, there is a comment that states "He seemed strong, a good candidate for rehab. We never know, exactly, the history, so it's kind of a shot in the dark. But we keep trying."

It was written "I have found in my years that a piece of “sheep-skin” on the wall does not make an expert". I agree. However, I can freely admit that I do not know EVERYTHING and I have no way of judging the validity of the decision that was made. I would not be so presumptuous to assume that I knew someone else's job better than them.

In working with stranded marine mammals in Cape Cod, MA and having quite a background with stranding response in VA, I feel extremely confident in assessing that the team in VA followed every established protocol with respect towards evaluating the health status of this animal. After the field health assessment, blood analysis, and external examination (which these folks perform at the highest level with regards to the protocols set forth by NOAA), their decision that the porpoise was a quality rehab. candidate was based on sound diagnostic principles. So those that have the luxury of playing "armchair quarterback" be thankful that you don't have to be on the beach in the middle of winter making these decisions.

To often we get tied up in our personal agendas, what we think is best for everyone or everything else in the world. This animal of God was lying on a beach, a place he isn't supposed to be, suffering and dying. Is it not worse letting it lie there in that condition or attempt to comfort and save it. Unfortunately that involved a plane trip. The Virginia Aquarium has been trying to develop a local program, on the east coast in the middle of it for a matter of fact, in which they could assist dolphins like this without having to fly North. But several organizations, like PETA, have been fitting this to the end causing problem after problem. I do feel that it is our job in life as a functional life form that is able to communicate, learn, feel compassion, and help to reach out and help everybody and everything we can. Of everyone who responded negatively towards these helpers I ask one question what would you have done if you were walking down the beach that morning and saw this helpless, sick animal suffering and gasping for air lying on the beach. If you didn't answer that you would have tried to help it then maybe you need to look deep within yourself and see if you still

“People need to get over hearing themselves talk and stop judging situations without all of the facts and expertise that come along in making decisions.”
I certainly hope that you are putting yourself in that group. I have found in my years that a piece of “sheep-skin” on the wall does not make an expert. Common sense will always trump “higher education”. Common sense says that if the animal is injured and in great distress, you ensure by all means that the animal is strong enough for transport via airplane on a 350+ mile trip. Come on!!! Would you take a person that had just been involved in a serious traffic accident and whisk them away immediately on a trip like that? No medical professional would ever do that. They would stabilize the injured first, evaluate their ability to sustain the trip, and seek advice from higher authority before making such a decision. They did not do the best they could.

Had it not been for those meddling humans, he could have just died on the beach, just something to think about. Yes, it is sad, but they did what they thought was best.

So what if “phrog” (see below posting) was sick or had a bad accident and was sent to a hospital by ambulance. The hospital that he was taken to did not have the facilities to care for “phrog”. The best chance for survival was to have them airlifted to a trauma center outside of Virginia. Are you saying that you would like to be kept in the regular hospital for a “few” days, risking your life , until you were well enough for the trip. I don’t think so

The comment regarding the humans trying to help this porpoise was a little harsh. You can't say that they did anything wrong unless you could have done better. I think what the "humans" did to help save Wilbur did the best they could and put their heart and soul into saving him considering the resources they had. Yes, it is unfortunate that Wilbur died, but just as the media stated..no one knew the history or health status of this animal. Therefore, this animal could have died from many different reasons. Wilbur was actually diagnosed getting better which is why the professionals decided to move him to a place where he would be more comfortable with better resources. Things happen. Life happens. I could see if they had mistreated Wilbur, but just giving him a name showed they had love for fighting for this animal. I think the "humans" did the best they could and I hope Wilbur rests in peace. My hats are off to the ones that did their best to help him.

I am sure that the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center did the best that they could with the accommodations that they have. There are people that are saying the choice that they made was a bad one, I wonder, do the people making those comments have a degree and the expertise that the staff at the Science Center have? Probably not. Believe it or not, some things really do go deeper than what most of us believe to be "common sense". With all of the good the center does, I am sure that they thought it to be in the best interest of the porpoise. In addition, I am POSITIVE that the same people complaining about this choice would be yelling for prosecution if the animal remained here and we were told that there was a slight chance (no matter how slim) of survival with transport. People need to get over hearing themselves talk and stop judging situations without all of the facts and expertise that come along in making decisions.

I have felt for a long while that the best place to treat and rehab sea animals is not inside a building on land. I think an east coast facility could be made on a platform like an oil platform where there are net tanks with floors that rise for tending then lower for rest. They could even set up slings in them. With dolphins especially this would allow the rest of the family near as the team work to make the individual healthy. It would also allow a quick way to move the animal from rooms upstairs back to the water. Any sea animal really should be more comfortable in its own environment and less stressed. I might be naive in this idea but I think it's a start at finding a better way.

He died because a bunch of meddling, nit-wit humans who have absolutely no clue, sent a weak mammal on a stressful flight right after he was found on the beach. You really can't tell me that there is not a suitable facility to at least care for the Porpoise a few days or until he is strong enough for such a trip. “Park ranger found the porpoise washed up on Cape Hatteras National Seashore on Feb. 26 in rough shape.” He is discovered one day and whisked away the very next day. So sad that this mammal had to perish at the hands of fools.