Last week, our Medics were called to South Woodham Ferrers after a dolphin showing erratic behaviour for several hours offshore became stranded in the mud. The rescue was especially challenging, carried out in darkness with safety cover and lighting provided by Essex Fire & Rescue. Being so far upriver also made this an unusual and concerning situation for a cetacean, coupled with the dolphin’s erratic pre-stranding behaviour.
With the invaluable support of Essex Fire & Rescue, HM Coastguard and the veterinary team from South Essex Wildlife Hospital, the dolphin was secured on specialist mud mats for a full assessment. Found to be a 1.5m-long adult female Common dolphin in poor nutritional condition, her neurological state showed no signs of improving. The kindest course of action was to end her suffering humanely
This was a demanding rescue for Medics and partner services, and subsequent findings from the Cetacean Stranding Investigation Programme confirmed the dolphin was in poor health with no evidence of recent feeding.
Thank you to the public who reported the dolphin’s unusual behaviour prior to her stranding, and to our team of Medics and all the attending services who worked tirelessly into the early hours of the morning.