Squid Pro Quo

And penicillin for a whale

Each year thousands of whales run aground and die along the beaches of the world. Scientists do not know why.

Some blame diseases or parasitic infections that affect the animals' navigational ability. Others believe whales may simply become lost in pursuit of prey. Some even speculate about an atavistic urge --perhaps triggered by stress--that causes these ancient mammals to seek the safety of the land from which their ancestors migrated. The beach-bound victims are usually small, toothed whales, like the pilot and false killer. But when a whale tried to beach itself just east of New York harbor, it was a very special case.

The suicidal leviathan was a relatively rare sperm whale. Such whales have the biggest brains on the planet (up to 20 lbs.).

They can dive to crushing depths of half a mile or more, deeper than any other air-breathing mammal. These descendants of Moby Dick are still relentlessly hunted for the waxy spermaceti and exceptionally fine oil found in their square snouts, and for an intestinal secretion called ambergris, used in making perfume. They have become an endangered species.

Marine biologists flocked to the site of the distressed whale when it was found in only 3 ft. of water near Long Island's Jones Beach. Its breathing was labored, mucus leaked from its blowhole, and it would surely have died. Though the creature was only three to six years old and far from full grown, it was already formidable. A 24-ft.-long male, it was, at 25,000 lbs., about as heavy as two full-grown elephants and just as powerful.

When Samuel Sadove, 25, a doctoral candidate in cetology (the study of whales), and Marine Veterinarian Jay Hyman, 46, tried to put a line around the animal's tail to haul it out to deeper water, the whale batted both men off their feet.

Eventually, a Coast Guard cutter managed to tow the whale to a nearby boat basin. It listed heavily to one side.

Tests on the mucus, which Hyman had collected by poking a giant Q-Tip into the blowhole, revealed four different types of pneumonia bacteria. The prospects seemed bleak. But scientists dosed the animal with penicillin and began serving it squid--a sperm whale favorite. Soon it started "sitting" higher in the water, raising its head and emitting the clicking sounds that sperms seem to use for communication or echo locating.

The scientists called the patient Physty, after the whale's Latin name, Physeter catodon. As word of Physty's plight spread, tens of thousands of people came to see him. Two women brought flowers; others sent get-well cards. But suddenly Physty's condition worsened --perhaps because of stress created by all the attention. In desperation the rescue teams switched to a more powerful antibiotic, lacing a dozen squid with about 50 tablets each of Chloromycetin and pushing them down Physty's throat. Next day, in a remarkable comeback, the whale began practicing quick, shallow dives.

After ten days, and with federal approval, the scientists decided to let Physty go. But when they removed the net blocking off the boat basin, he seemed reluctant, twice swerving away from the opening. Thousands of spectators urged him on, shouting, "Go, Physty, go. You can do it." At last the whale was herded into the bay. Then, escorted by eleven boats it slowly headed out to sea. Two Coast Guard vessels followed it 4% miles into the Atlantic, watching it make three dives of about 3 min. apiece, blowing off its steamy breath each time. Then Physty was seen no more. It was the first time that a stranded sperm whale had ever been saved.

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