47-ft-long whale rescued along Konkan coast

Mumbai, Sep 12 (PTI) A 47-feet long blue whale wasrescued from the sea along a beach in Maharashtra’s coastalKonkan and was successfully put back into the deep waters. The whale had drifted into shallow waters near theJaitapur power plant in Ratnagiri district. "It appeared emaciated and must have drifted some daysago. But since this is an isolated spot, it was spotted onSaturday and we were informed by the locals," N Vasudevan,chief conservator, mangrove conservation cell, said. As it was late evening that day, rescue operations usingboats and fishing nets were carried out yesterday. Theoperation lasted six hours and the whale was led into the deepseas. This is the second successful rescue of a blue whale inthe same region, he said. PTI VT GKDVJMF