Rehabilitation of a rescued pygmy sperm whale stranded on the Pacific Coast of Japan

A stranded female calf of pygmy sperm whale was found at a river-mouth on the Pacific coast of Japan, on 2003 January 28. It had severe lesions on the skin. After transportation to aquarium, medical treatment and the following rehabilitation were conducted. Antibody against Brucella was examined by aggulutination test using Brucella abortus antigen. Significant level of antibody against Brucella was detected in the serum. After administration of antibiotics, the antibody titer gradually decreased to below the detectable level after 2 months of administration. This result indicates that the antibiotic therapy is effective to eliminate Brucella in cetaceans. The surface wounds were cured, however, craniolateral area of melon was swollen from day 45 post the rescue. Although the swelling disappeared by aspiration, the excretion of pus from the blowhole continued till the death and resultantly gave a fatal damage. The pygmy sperm whale survived more than one year, and died on 2004 February 26. The present information is important for understanding of ecology of this whale species rarely seen in the sea, and of Brucella infection in cetaceans.