Kommetjie – Dolphin dies:

At 17h01 on Tuesday the 16th of June, NSRI Kommetjie duty crew were activated following reports of a dolphin in shallow surf in amongst rocks at Long Beach, Kommetjie.

Ian Klopper, NSRI Kommetjie station commander, said: 'Kommetjie duty crew responded to the beach and on arrival found an injured Common dolphin in shallow surf.

'Local surfers and bystanders were attempting to assist the dolphin which appeared to have an injured beak (suspected to have happened when the dolphin washed against rocks in the surf in shallow water) and NSRI Kommetjie rescuers joined the attempts to save the dolphin while the Department of Environmental Affairs - Oceans and Coasts were activated. Sadly it appeared that the dolphin suffered a seizure and died on the scene.

'NSRI Kommetjie have recovered the dolphin from the beach and arrangements have been made for the Department of Environmental Affairs - Oceans and Coasts to collect the carcass of the dolphin from NSRI Kommetjie for research and for a Necropsy to be carried out.

'NSRI Kommetjie patrolled the coastline in the area and posted coast watchers to monitor if any further beachings occurred but it appears that only this dolphin beached and there are no additional sightings of dolphins in the area.'

-ENDS-

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This picture is available for media use on Sea Rescue's Flickr page.

Kelly-Ann Irving of NSRI Kommetjie and bystanders on the scene at Long Beach, Kommetjie where this injured Common dolphin died. Picture Ian Klopper/NSRI.