Children rescue young beluga whale that came ashore on the beach

For one family, a casual day at the baech turned into a life-saver. They were enjoying a day on the Canadian shore of the St. Lawrence River when they came upon an animal in urgent need of help. The young white whale, separated from its mother, was stranded on the beach. But thankfully, these caring people were able to rescue him!

Nicholas Milliard, 15, was on the beach with his younger brother when they discovered the little critter struggling in the sand. The newborn beluga had only been alive for a few hours, and its mother could not be found, so its survival was in the hands of these two brothers. But they did the best they could!

They made a hole for water to collect there and moisten the skin. Every 5 minutes they brought him water.

The parents then joined, and together they tried to keep the helpless beluga alive until help arrived. A few hours later, a rescue team from the Marine Mammal Research and Education Team showed up.

Belugas typically nurse and care for their young for 2 years, so it was critical for this hours-long cub to find its mother — or at least another female who could nurse it. As a result, rescuers gradually brought it back to the sea and introduced it to other beluga whales in the hope that it would get lucky.