Safety · San Fernando
Seven-metre sei whale dies on sandbank in Argentina's Rio de la Plata despite rescue bid
A sei whale about seven metres long stranded on a sandbank in the Rio de la Plata near San Fernando, a suburb north of Buenos Aires. Rescuers from the Temaikén foundation worked more than a day to free it using the rising tide, but the animal did not survive.
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In brief
A seven-metre-long sei whale stranded on a sandbank in the Rio de la Plata near San Fernando, a suburb north of Buenos Aires.
The whale's full weight pressed onto its belly, impairing organ function and leading to a critical condition.
Temaikén rescuers attempted for more than a day to free the whale by using the rising tide, keeping its skin moist to reduce stress.
Despite the efforts, Temaikén announced the whale did not survive.
The whale probably lost orientation due to a combination of environmental factors or a health problem and swam upstream.
- 25 July 2026Whale first spotted on sandbank.
- 25-26 July 2026Rescue operation attempts to free the whale using the tide.
- 26 July 2026Temaikén confirms the whale did not survive.
Stranding in the Rio de la Plata
On Friday, 25 July 2026, a sei whale (Balaenoptera borealis) was spotted stranded on a sandbank in the Rio de la Plata off San Fernando, north of Buenos Aires. The seven-metre animal had its entire body weight pressing onto its belly, which impaired organ function and made the situation critical. Teams organised by the Temaikén conservation foundation kept the whale's skin moist to reduce stress.
A failed rescue attempt
Rescuers hoped to exploit large tidal swings and a rising water level to lift the whale and guide it into deeper water, allowing it to reach the sea. The operation stretched across more than a day, involving several teams. Despite these efforts, the whale did not survive. Temaikén later stated,
“Leider hat das Tier trotz aller Bemühungen nicht überlebt.”
Why the whale went upstream
During the southern winter, sei whales migrate north along the Argentine Atlantic coast. Temaikén noted that sightings near the mouth of the Rio de la Plata, between Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, are common. But this individual probably became disoriented by a mix of environmental factors or a health problem, travelled upstream, and eventually grounded on a sandbank. The area is known for numerous sandbanks and strong tidal fluctuations.
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