VOLUNTEERS MANAGED TO rescue two dolphins from stranding in Tramore last week. 

The mother and calf were spotted by Ian Stubbs, who contacted the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group’s helpline when he saw the two were in difficulty in a tidal stream in the Kilmacleague area.

Volunteers were then tasked to respond to the situation before the dolphins stranded.

Three IWDG volunteers, Deirdre, Clare, and Kieran, worked with National Parks and Wildlife Services ranger David and Ian, who had called in the potential stranding. 

Three members of the Waterford Sub Aqua group – Kevin, Justin, and Peter – were notified by IWDG responder and diver Paul and attended the area to respond to the situation. 

Based on where the mother and calf were, and the dropping tide, the group assessed that the best course of action was to relocate the dolphins by road to open water. Dolphins are a pelagic species, and are used to deep water rather than tidal streams or sandbars.

If the group had tried to reflect them in the waters beside the Tramore sand dune system, there was a risk they could move further into inaccessible areas and become stranded.

Dolphins must never be dragged by the tail as it can cause life-ending dislocations. The team used tarpaulins to extract the two dolphins and placed them side-by-side on padding in a trailer. 

From there, they were brought to Dunmore East pier, with stops along the way to cool them. 

“Once released, both dolphins swam immediately and paired up again,” the group said. “Both were upright in the water — a very good indication that no lung compression had occurred while stranded.”

Members of Dunmore East Adventure Centre kept an eye on the area after the release, in case the dolphins returned ashore.

There were no further reports of the pair being seen again that evening. 

The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group issued its thanks to the large team that assisted in the rescue, saying that live stranding responses are “very difficult” without a combined effort.