A 2.6m long Atlantic White Dolphin was found stranded on a Yorkshire Coast beach this week.
A rare incident unfolded on the mudflats near Easington, East Yorkshire, this week when British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) responded to a report of a stranded porpoise.
Upon arrival, the team discovered that the animal was, in fact, a dolphin, identified as a male Atlantic white-sided dolphin measuring 2.6 meters long. The dolphin was found lying on its side, deeply stuck in the mud approximately 50 meters from the shoreline.
Given the challenging conditions, BDMLR called upon the Humberside Fire and Rescue Service for assistance. The fire service arrived with specialised mud rescue equipment, enabling safe access to the stranded dolphin. Under the careful supervision of the fire crews, six BDMLR members were able to dig the dolphin out of the mud and transfer it onto a purpose-built rescue sling.
Once on solid ground, the team worked to clean the mud off the dolphin and conducted a veterinary assessment. Fortunately, the dolphin did not have any injuries severe enough to necessitate euthanasia. Fire crews provided crucial support by supplying water and additional matting to help stabilize the dolphin while it was being treated.
Following the veterinary assessment, the team received approval to attempt a single refloat of the dolphin. It was transported to a more suitable location away from the mud. Tragically, during the journey, the dolphin suffered a seizure and passed away.
The deceased dolphin has since been taken for investigation by the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, which aims to enhance understanding of cetacean lives and deaths in UK waters. This species is typically found in deeper parts of the North Atlantic and is known for its social nature and speed, often living in large pods. Encounters with Atlantic white-sided dolphins near the UK coast are considered unusual.
BDMLR expressed gratitude towards the Humberside Fire & Rescue Service, specifically the Withernsea On-Call, East Hull, and Central (White Watch) crews, as well as HM Coastguard Humber and RNLI Withernsea, for their invaluable support during this challenging rescue attempt. A spokesperson from BDMLR noted, "Without their assistance, the rescue attempt would not have been possible."
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