Sep 02 - Juvenile Striped Dolphin Rescued In Western Beach Area

This weekend saw the successful rescue of a juvenile Striped dolphin in the area of Western Beach and Marina Bay. The calf was approximately two weeks old and had moved into shallow waters after becoming separated from its mother.

The calf was spotted by a resident from Waterport Terraces and the Department of the Environment’s Environmental Research and Protection Unit (ERPU) was notified.

A joint operation between the ERPU and HM Customs, with assistance from Dolphin Adventure staff, ensued and the calf was caught and taken out to sea where it was released to increase its chances of survival.

However, a few hours later, the calf made its way back into the area in question and grounded itself on Western Beach, a scenario which the Department of the Environment feared could happen.

Members of the public quickly attended to it and once again the ERPU was notified and a second attempt made to release the animal. Luckily, the Environmental Protection Officers found a pod of Striped dolphins in the Bay and released the young calf amidst its own kind with the hope that the pod would accept it.

The ERPU continue to patrol our waters and there have been no further sightings of the calf.

The Government would like to thank the officers involved as well as the members of the public for their response and assistance. 

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