MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Successful dolphin rescue in Falklands 'suspect area'
Sarah Clements (R) with a Conservation team at Surf Bay FALKLANDS Conservation were able to put their Marine Mammal Rescue skills into practice when a young Peale's Dolphin became stranded in an area still considered 'suspect' since the 1982 War.
The stranded dolphin was discovered on a beach at the East end of Stanley Harbour. It was found to be in good health when Falklands Conservation were called to assess it. Two Conservation members, stayed with the dolphin to keep it cool and moist while the other half of the team returned to Stanley to collect the required equipment and carry slings which Falklands Conservation keep for just such an eventuality. The team was joined at this time by (Mercopress stringer) Sarah Clement. Sarah along with a number of staff of Falklands Conservation have undertaken training with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue and qualified as Marine Mammal Medics. The Peale's Dolphin was kept cool and moist with a fine water spray and damp towels making sure to keep the blow hole clean and unobstructed when the carry slings were prepared. Due to the large stretch of shallow water and slight sand-bar to seaward from where the dolphin was stranded, and the fact that the area is considered a "suspect area" the decision was taken to refloat and release the dolphin at Surf Bay where it would have direct access to deeper water. The dolphin was gently rolled onto the carry sling, and keeping the animal level and sprayed with water, was carried to the Land Rover and transported the short distance across the isthmus to Surf Bay. Here the dolphin was carried to just beyond the surf break and the sling gently lowered so that the dolphin refloated but was still restrained by the sling so that it had time to orient itself. It seems ironic but often in a state of stress and disoriented a released dolphin cannot balance itself or through muscle cramp cannot immediately swim and is at risk of drowning. The sling was then sunk below the dolphin and at first tentatively and then more strongly the dolphin swam back out into its element. There was a sense of elation, heightened by the immediate arrival of a pod of approximately 5 or 6 more Peale's Dolphin that raced in from seaward as the dolphin was being released and somersaulted clear of the water as if in celebration. Whilst the released dolphin appeared to swim a little offshore, clear of the waves, with 2 of these, the remainder stayed and played in the waves putting on a display for the rescuers. A pod of Peale's are often seen in Port William and round to Surf Bay so it is hoped that the animal will have joined its own family pod. Often in the Falklands, due to a large coastline and few people, strandings are spotted too late to be able to refloat the animals and it is great to have been able to help this one animal. By Lisa Johnston - SeAled PR - Stanley Photo by: Anna Shepherd, Falklands Conservation
Top Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesCommenting for this story is now closed.
If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page!