Stranded dolphins rescued off north Mayo
AN unlucky Friday the 13th turned into a lucky one for a pod of stranded dolphins who were rescued from a beach in north Mayo.
The rescue mission was launched by Mayo Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) members after receiving a report that dolphins had live stranded on Tarmon beach in Blacksod.
Thanking the local community, visitors and gardaí who assisted the 13 common dolphins, Mayo IWDG explained on their social media that the dolphins were a family group of 13 individuals, mainly mothers and calves and a big male. Unfortunately, three died before they could be helped.
With the tide still dropping for another 1.5 hours, the sun shining and the dolphins responding to being cooled it was decided to move the pod by road to the slip at Blacksod - two kilometres away - where they could continue to receive care in deeper water.
Mayo IWDG explained: 'The new IWDG wheeled dolphin stretcher ferried the larger dolphins across the beach to an awaiting horse-box and the juveniles were moved via large beach towels in tandem with their mothers.
'All mother and calf pairs were lined up semi submerged on banks of seaweed on the shoreline beside Blacksod slip and continued to receive care until the rest of the pod arrived by road.
'Once all dolphins had spent time being supported in the water by everyone and one made a dash for freedom, the rest of the group were released.
'The juveniles were calling to the adults. All swam upright unassisted into deeper water quickly and none rolled or bellied up, which can often happen to dolphins who have live stranded.
'As of 21:00 , the group had left the area and couldn’t be found. Fingers crossed they make it.'
Tarmon and the surrounding beaches on the east side of the mullet peninsula are notorious for common dolphins live stranding due to the topography of the beaches, say Mayo IWDG.
They explained: 'The beaches are large flat expanses so during spring tides especially, the water can level can drop uniformly and recede up to 1km in parts. Common dolphins being an offshore dolphin species often get caught out on such difficult to navigate shallow terrain.
'When a dolphin live strands it puts immense pressure on their bodies, they can become very disorientated and have muscle spasm from the stranding event making it difficult to swim, which is why this group were given recovery time at Blacksod before being released.
'Thanks again to everyone who helped out. It was so humbling to see everyone work together to get this pod back to the sea.
'If anyone would like to become involved with the IWDG stranding network please drop us a message.'
More photos from the rescue and information about Mayo IWDG here: https://www.facebook.com/Mayo-IWDG-344711752857479/?ref=page_internal