Dolphin rescue: Stranded, but not alone

This is NOT usual … in fact it’s the first that I can remember in my time here since 1993;~(

Curry Pilot – by Jane Stebbins

Mike Gaynes couldn’t help but notice the cluster of people on Sandpiper Beach near the Winchuck River trying to rescue a common dolphin that had beached itself on the sand Wednesday.  

“There were a couple dozen people, including many small children, trying to push the dolphin back in,” he said. “They did it twice, and both times it immediately beached itself again.”

The third time, they made a sling out of a blanket and hauled the dolphin to the calmer river water.

“It immediately circled a big rock and beached itself in two minutes,” Gaynes said.

One member of the group had been making phone calls and eventually officials with an unknown agency arrived to rescue the dolphin.

The animal was placed into a truck and taken away. The Pilot was unable to ascertain which agency took the animal and what eventually happened to it.

“You had to admire the passion and enthusiasm of those people,” Gaynes said. “A lot of the kids were emotionally involved. They were very committed to helping this dolphin. What happened after that, would be nice to know.”

The dolphin might have been rescued by the Northcoast Marine Mammal Center in Crescent City; calls to the facility were answered by a recording.

The worried beachcombers’ efforts to get the dolphin to return to sea were commendable, but not advisable.

“We know people like to get in and help, but they shouldn’t get anywhere near the animal,” said Kate Whaley of the Ocean World in Crescent City. “Often officials are keeping an eye on it already. Don’t touch, don’t go near and call.”

Who to call

•Northcoast Marine Mammal Center in Crescent City: 707.951.4722

•Oregon State Police Seal Pup Rescue: 800-452-7888

•State Department of Fish and Wildlife: 541-247-7605

http://www.currypilot.com/News/Local-News/Dolphin-rescue-Stranded-but-not-alone

2 thoughts on “Dolphin rescue: Stranded, but not alone

  1. “There were a couple dozen people, including many small children, trying to push the dolphin back in,” he said. “They did it twice, and both times it immediately beached itself again.”
    “The third time, they made a sling out of a blanket and hauled the dolphin to the calmer river water.”

    “It immediately circled a big rock and beached itself in two minutes,” Gaynes said.”

    The poor creature obviously preferred a quick death… as opposed to slow Fukushima poisoning.

    1. It really is a death knell for us all. Fish jumping out of the water, dead seals all up and down the west coast, Alaska fishing industry on it’s last breath, Eventually, all ocean’s will be “dead pools” on a dying planet. I’m horrified about what the future holds for my children and grandkids. If they have much of a future. I hate to sound pessimistic but I can see the writing on the wall.

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