Stranded dolphin rescued from muddy inlet in Cornwall
Teams from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue helped the animal back out to sea
Last updated 18th Feb 2024
A dolphin has been rescued in Cornwall after becoming stranded in a muddy inlet.
At around 11.40am on Friday (16 February), the lone common dolphin was reported to British Divers Marine Life Rescue circling in the shallows.
Initially, a couple of volunteer Marine Mammal Medics were sent down to the scene at Place, near Portscatho, to monitor the animal in hope it would be able to get away by itself.
After an hour and a half or so of observation, the risk of stranding increased significantly as the tide went out - as the inlet is very shallow, muddy and almost completely dries out over low tide.
As a result, a larger response team was dispatched with more equipment in preparation for a stranding.
The animal did soon strand in the mud and fell onto its side, submerging the blowhole. Luckily the team were on hand to help get it upright again quickly, then bring it ashore for a health assessment and to begin providing first aid.
No obvious injuries could be found and it measured 2.03m, later confirmed as female. The animal was in moderate nutritional condition and appeared otherwise okay following a more detailed health check.
It was decided that the dolphin was well enough to attempt to refloat. A local resident had his boat tender moored nearby and was happy to use it as a transport craft to take the dolphin out to deeper water.
A surfboard was placed on one side with a soft mat on top for the dolphin to lie comfortably on during the journey. When ready, the dolphin was carried across in a tarpaulin, transferred to a mesh stretcher and loaded on board with a team of four Medics including a vet.
The boat then carefully made its way out to the mouth of the Percuil River, facing into Carrick Roads and close to open sea. The dolphin was carefully hauled overboard in the stretcher and released.
The area will be monitored for resightings or restrandings, but it is hoped that she will recover successfully and continue back out to sea.