October 7th 2006

ATLANTA - Gasper, one of the beluga whales at the Georgia Aquarium, is enduring more health problems in the form of a failing immune system.Tim Binder, the aquarium's director of husbandry, said the situation is"very critical." On Friday (6 October) Binder said, "We're not on a death watch, but it's another aspect of the animal's health that caused us to be even more concerned," . "It's something we have to resolve. If the immune system continues to be suppressed, it's unlikely the animal will survive."

Gasper's appetite decreased in recent days and he became dehydrated, Binder said. Whales get the water they need from the fish they eat.Gasper was given fluid therapy for dehydration and is being fed fish through"assisted feeding" in an effort to get his digestive tract functioning, Binder said.

It's the latest ailment for a whale who has prompted an outpouring of support at the aquarium. Gasper was brought to the aquarium in downtown Atlanta a year ago, along with tankmate Nico. Both had been housed in substandard conditions at an amusement park in Mexico City. There, the whales' tank was located beneath a roller coaster.

Gasper was in poor health with numerous skin lesions when the new owners of the amusement park agreed to move the whales to Atlanta. Aquarium veterinarians later discovered Gasper had the potentially deadly bone disease osteomyelitis, and he was taken off exhibit for treatment in April.

Binder said veterinarians cannot treat the osteomyelitis until Gasper's immune system begins functioning normally.

Source: Associated Press