Plettenberg Bay – Striped Dolphin rescue

NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew were alerted by the Southern Cape Marine Animal Stranding Network, who had a member of their team on the scene at Dune Park, Keurbooms Beach, where a Striped Dolphin was found to have beached.

Jaco Kruger, NSRI Plettenberg Bay station commander, said:

Our NSRI rescue vehicle, additional NSRI rescue swimmers, additional Southern Cape Marine Animal Stranding Network members and their marine scientist responded and Eastern Cape Marine Animal Stranding Network members were alerted.

On arrival on the scene attempts were made by the teams, including the marine animal stranding network members, and NSRI rescue swimmers, to swim the Striped Dolphin out to sea but these attempts were suspended in the rough sea conditions, large breaking swells and with the backline relatively far off-shore.

A specialised stretcher was arranged and the dolphin was loaded and secured into the stretcher, loaded onto the back of our NSRI rescue vehicle and the dolphin was brought to our NSRI rescue base.

The dolphin was then loaded onto our NSRI rescue craft Ray Farnham Rescuer.

Aboard Ray Farnham Rescuer our NSRI Plettenberg Bay duty crew transported and released the dolphin at sea about 2 nautical miles off-shore.

The dolphin appeared strong and healthy and swam away appearing to be swimming with confidence. We are cautiously optimistic that the dolphin has survived this ordeal.

It remains unknown the cause of the dolphin beaching. The shoreline will continue to be monitored.

We commend the public members who raised the alarm.The Pelagic animal is normally found in deep tropical and temperate waters.