Rescuers battle to save stranded baby dolphin at North Devon beach

Volunteer marine mammal medics were called to Combe Martin beach this morning (Thursday, January 15) and spent several hours trying to save a stranded young dolphin.

Member of British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) attended along with a veterinary surgeon from Market Vets after a passer-by spotted the dolphin out of the water but still alive and being attacked by seagulls.

The BDMLR said when its team arrived the dolphin was assessed and found to have superficial injuries, but ‘was otherwise in good body condition’.

Below: The BDMLR team try and return the dolphin to the sea. Video courtesy of Charlotte Hart

They said it was a young male and appeared to have only recently become independent from its mother.

The team reported the dolphin remained stable throughout initial care and responded well to first aid provided. With veterinary support and once sufficient people and equipment were in place, they attempted a controlled refloat to return it to the sea.

Above: The young dolphin was given first aid by the marine mammal medics before they attempted to refloat it. Credit: BDMLR/Louisa Bartlett

Sadly, they found the dolphin failed to stabilise and showed difficulty maintaining equilibrium in the water.

A statement on the BDMLR website said: “Despite continued efforts by the team to support the dolphin and ensure the refloat was being undertaken as effectively as possible, the animal’s condition did not improve.

“As sea conditions deteriorated and with increasing risk to volunteer safety, the decision was made by the attending vet to humanely euthanise the dolphin on welfare grounds to prevent further suffering.”

Above: The young male dolphin was thought to have not long since left its mother. Credit: BDMLR/Steve Cave

Above: The dolphin is carried along the concrete path at Combe Martin beach. Credit: Charlotte Hart

READ NEXT: Inside Devon’s seal rescue season as pups return to the wild

The dolphin will now be collected for a post-mortem to try and establish its condition and see if there is any information that might explains why it became stranded.

Above: The BDMLR team prepares to try and return the dolphin to the sea. Credit: Dave Sharratt

The BDMLR added: “Thank you to the local community and partner agencies for their support and to everyone who reported promptly and gave the animal space while BDMLR teams responded.”

If you see a stranded dolphin or whale anywhere on the UK coastline, you can call the 24 hour BDMLR Hotline on 01825 765546.