Brazil rescues beached fin whale in Cabo Frio and rare sea lion pup in Laguna

A juvenile fin whale, about three metres long and weighing roughly 400 kg, has stranded on Praia do Forte in Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro for the third time within 24 hours. Local fire‑fighter, maritime guard and veterinary teams built a temporary water‑containment structure on the sand, administered medication and are monitoring the animal before moving it to Praia Seca in Araruama for another release attempt.

In Laguna, Santa Catarina, a 23.7‑kg female southern sea lion pup was found debilitated on Praia do Mar Grosso. Researchers from the University of Santa Catarina rescued the animal, provided initial veterinary care, and transferred it to a marine‑fauna rehabilitation center in Florianópolis for further treatment. This is the first documented sighting of the species on the state’s coast in ten years of monitoring.