Stuck Baby Whale Helped Home

A baby whale paid a visit to La Jolla this weekend.

A sperm whale, estimated to be between 6 months to 1 year old, came ashore at Torrey Pines State Beach around 9:30 p.m. Sunday. The whale was spotted rolling around in the rocky surf but was soon assisted back to deeper water by a Sea World San Diego team.

The visit is extremely rare. A Sea World official said it was the first baby sperm whale seen this close to San Diego in at least 25 years.

The animal was spotted near the La Jolla Underwater Park. The Sea World team said the animal was rolling around in the rocky surf. The whale's movement on the shoreline caused it scrapes and scratches.

Sea World brought a team of 20, including a two veterinarians and several trainers, to assist the baby whale that got too close to shore.

Sea World spokesman David Koontz said when the team arrived it observed the animal, watching for behavioral signs and condition, before examining it in the water and eventually treating it.

"They were happy to find its robust size and how energetic it was," said Koontz.

After injecting the animal with antibiotics for its wounds, it was pushed out into deeper water around midnight. The whale was very cooperative, according to Sea World officials.

"Once they got him past the break water where he was able to maneuver on his own, he kicked his tail fluke a couple of times and was gone," said Koontz. "So that is another good sign."

Sea World hopes the whale, which is believed to be a male, is able to find his mother. Based on his size and estimated age, this whale would still be somewhat dependent on its mother.

According to National Geographic, adult sperm whales are 45 to 59 feet in length and weigh 35 to 45 tons.

City News Service contributed to this article.