An injured harbour porpoise is in “grave” condition but in good hands after being rescued off an Esquimalt shore.

According to the Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Centre, the young adult male porpoise had beached itself after being unable to swim because of a wound near its tail fluke.

A member of the Songhees Nation called in the discovery late Tuesday evening and, with the help of volunteers and staff from other wildlife organizations, transported the porpoise – now named Theodore – to the aquarium’s rescue centre in Vancouver.

“His condition is grave, but we are cautiously optimistic at this time,” said Lindsaye Akhurst, manager of the rescue centre. “He does have wounds on the ventral aspect of his body (abdomen) and is currently being supported by a specially made sling to support him in the water.”

The porpoise is being fed every 90 minutes and staff say it is taking a slight interest in eating fish.

The centre expects to treat the wound Wednesday, and perform a number of diagnostics and x-rays on the animal.