Stranded dolphin driven seven miles across Anglesey to be released by rescue teams
A stranded female dolphin was released back into the sea after being driven across Anglesey in a dramatic rescue.A second dolphin, thought to be the female’s calf, was retrieved from a nearby beach and experts are at the site today (DEC 22) to see if it survived.Coastguard rescue teams from Moelfre and Penmon were scrambled following reports of a dead dolphin at Pentraeth Beach. They were joined by medics from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), who discovered the adult female was still alive but had been stranded high up on the beach.“The stranded dolphin was assessed and found to be in good shape even though she had been stuck for a few hours,” said a spokesperson for Moelfre CRT.
“As the tide was still going out, the ability to re-float the dolphin at Pentraeth was not possible. It was felt the best option was to transfer the dolphin via road to Moelfre and attempt to re-float her there.”The cetacean was carried to a waiting BDMLR trailer via a specialist stretcher before being taken on a seven-mile trip along Anglesey’s roads to Moelfre.
The procession left some locals wide-eyed.“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the convoy of vehicles go past,” said one local woman.A member of the rescue team said the looks they got from startled onlookers brought a smile to everyone’s faces.
“Myself and my colleague were in the trailer with the dolphin,” said BDMLR medic Gem Simmons.
“We have to admit, everyone’s shocked faces did amuse us a bit.”
At Moelfre beach, the dolphin was lifted from the trailer and carried to the water’s edge and out into the bay. “After a few minutes, she was able to swim into deeper water quite happily,” said Moelfre CRT.A local dog walker watched the operation with interest from the beach. “I can only praise all the crews trying to save this majestic creature,” she said. “The outcome was amazing thanks to everyone who was involved.”Shortly after the dolphin was released mid-afternoon yesterday, reports were received of a calf stranding on mudflats at Wern y Wylan beach a little way east of Pentraeth. Locals who found it were asked by Holyhead Coastguard to pour water on it to keep it hydrated until the CRT and BDMLR teams arrived.
The calf was assessed by the BDMLR vet. “Due to fading light, it was moved from the saltings and into a nearby river outlet to await the incoming tide,” said a Penmon CRT spokesperson.
“Hopefully the incoming tide will assist the dolphin back out to sea.”BDMLR volunteers returned to Wern y Wylan this morning so see if the calf had swum back out to sea overnight.
Holyhead Coastguard is awaiting a progress report.