On the 28th of November, a group of common dolphins live stranded in the Mullet in Co. Mayo and was reported to the IWDG. Thank you to Gemma O’Connor who was on site to assist and refloat the animals, along with other members of the public, the local NPWS ranger and the Irish Coast Guard members.
Read below for Gemma’s account of the stranding.
“Today’s stranding involved 13 individuals common dolphins, 4 calves in the group too. I was made aware of the stranding at 11:20. The tide was almost fully out.
I counted 13, and covered as many as possible with wet sheets or sea weed, taking care not to cover their blowhole. Those on their sides I propped up their heads as much as possible as some seemed prone to inhale water from the puddle they had made. The Coast Guard and help arrived as the tide came in and they kept the sideways ones upright and those of us in wetsuits/dry suits (kayaker & Npws ranger) kept the wobbly floaters upright.
As the area flooded, we were able to guide some out. I could gently move a floating dolphin around 300 meters at thigh deep level. It would turn at time’s but I could turn it around again. It’s left eye seemed closed, but no blood. It’s right eye was open but seemed red. It wasn’t pecked at. That individual seemed to stay with the other one I brought it to. I’m curious as to whether that one was sick as it was so easy to guide, its breathing was slow and deep, unlike some of the others. For instance the babies would blow and breath faster when being touched.
The little ones were clicking & whistling all the time.
Eventually all 13 were swimming, 10 swam away and 3 remained. A mother and calf swam in circles in Carton Point as per the photo and a single bigger adult was swimming around Tarmon beach at 16:20. It swam out as I made noise in the water.”
As a Non-Governmental Organisation, we appreciate and rely heavily on the assistance of members of the IWDG and members of the public who go to great lengths to visit and record strandings such as this one. To them we offer our respect and thanks.
To find out more about IWDG’s Sighting and Strandings scheme and how to get involved you can visit our website https://iwdg.ie/what-we-do/
