Whale Rescue Effort on Hold

by Jordan Yerman | May 19, 2007 at 02:20 pm

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The two injured whales stuck up the Sacramento River have been left to their own devices for the weekend as rescuers switch tactics in their efforts to free the mother and calf.

Efforts to free two humpback whales trapped in the inland port of Sacramento, in the US state of California, have ended for the weekend.

The pair made their way 90 miles (145km) through San Francisco Bay and up the Sacramento River to the port.

The mother and calf turned inland while heading north on their spring migration from Mexico to northern California.

Attempts to coax the pair back out to sea using the sounds of whales feeding have so far failed.

Rescuers plan to resume their efforts on Tuesday with people on a fleet of 50 boats banging on pipes dangled underwater.

It is hoped the noise will drive the whales downriver.