Fifteen-year-old Nicholas Milliard shared the story of how he and his younger brothers sprang into action to save the stranded animal. They made sure to keep the whale hydrated by pouring water on it every five minutes and creating a small hole for water to accumulate.
The quick-thinking family from Quebec immediately called for rescuers and continued to care for the beluga cub until the specialists arrived.
Once the rescuers were on the scene, they returned the animal to the water, hoping that it would be reunited with its mother or another beluga whale that could care for it.
Beluga whales typically feed and nurture their offspring for two years, making maternal support essential for their survival. However, the population of beluga whales in the St. Lawrence River has significantly declined to only 900 individuals, largely due to pollution in the area.
Despite the challenges, the rescued beluga whale now has a chance to survive, thanks to the determined efforts of these caring boys during their vacation.
