At around 1410 on Sunday, 18 May, British Divers Marine Life Rescue received reports of a live dolphin stranding at Cape Cornwall, near Land’s End in Cornwall. A team of Medics was mobilised to the scene with response equipment to assess the animal and begin first aid measures.
Being a fairly remote location with poor phone signal, as well as a very warm and sunny weekend, contact was made with Falmouth Coastguard Operations Centre in case further safety assistance or crowd control was needed. The first Medics to arrive found members of the public supporting the animal in the shallows amongst rocks, carrying out first aid as instructed over the phone by our Hotline Coordinator. Attempts to refloat it prior had not been successful, so the animal was made comfortable on a mat, a sheet was placed over its back, and further care was provided while an assessment was made.
The animal was identified as a common dolphin, male, 1.8m long, with only a couple of minor grazes on its beak. It appeared to be in moderate nutritional condition, and its breathing rate was already inside the normal range, which was a good sign. At this point, the animal was moved into a shallow rock pool and supported so it was no longer resting on the floor. On discussion and review of photos with our Head Veterinary Consultant, it was decided that a refloatation attempt could be trialled to see how it responded.
Fortunately, the sea being almost flat and calm made this part much easier, as the rocky terrain otherwise added somewhat to the challenge of carrying the dolphin carefully into the water. Biodegradable tape was tied around its tail to help with future identification should it be resighted or restranded. After a relatively short period of time re-establishing equilibrium and circulation, the dolphin began to respond positively, and the call was made to release it. The dolphin started slowly at first, following the line of rocks along the shoreline out of the cove, giving cause for concern that it would restrand quickly. However, as it moved further out, a little surprise assistance from a small seal that popped up suddenly between it and the rocks diverted the dolphin offshore with determination, and it very quickly disappeared.
Some of the members of the public who reported the incident originally also reported seeing a pod of dolphins a bit further offshore later on, so it is hoped this animal may have rejoined them and is doing okay now after its brief adventure gone awry!
We would like to thank all the members of the public who assisted the animal and our team throughout the incident, the Maritime Coastguard Agency for their support and being on standby should we have needed them, as well as the vet from Rosevean Veterinary Surgery who had been called out should we have had the need for euthanasia had things turned out differently. Of course, a big thank you to all our team involved in what we hope is a successful rescue!
Photos: Dan Jarvis/Constance Morris
