Common dolphin and calf strand in Ireland - Euthanised
18/08/2008 12:15:35
Common dolphin and calf starnd in Ireland
August 2008. The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) were called out to two dolphins that were repeatedly live-stranding at Crookhaven in West Cork. Despite at least 3-4 attempts by locals and holiday makers to bring the dolphins out to deeper water, the dolphins continued to strand on the beach.
When members of the IDWG team arrived at the beach it they identified the dolphins as a common dolphin mother with a calf, and that it seemed that the mother was the one with the greatest difficulty in swimming. Her movement was laboured and quite lethargic and the decision was taken to let them live-strand, without interference.
By around 20:30 the two were stranded on the sandy beach on a falling tide, and IWDG were on hand to explain to the public why attempting yet another refloat wasn't an option. The calf was just 150cms long and still showed signs of neo-natal folds, and would almost certainly still be dependent on its mother.
IWDG contacted a local vet and IWDG member, Tim O' Leary, with whom it was agreed that euthanasia was the best course of action.
The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
The IWDG co-ordinate the Irish Cetacean Stranding Scheme, and appreciate being contacted in the event of all stranding events (dead or alive). In the case of live strandings it is particularly important that they are contacted as soon as possible, as the earlier they can get onsite, the greater the options are.
Common dolphins have been reported in increasing numbers in recent weeks by whale watchers from many land-based sites off the south and south-west coast of Ireland. They are by far the most frequently reported dolphin species in Irish inshore waters.
