-Edited by Bev Mortimer-A beached dolphin was saved by volunteer duty members from NSRI Gqeberha and Sardinia Bay rescue stations yesterday.
The male bottle nose dolphin male had some minor injuries, and it was believed it may have had a scuffle with a shark.
Kevin Warren, NSRI Gqeberha duty coxswain, said at just after 2 pm NSRI Gqeberha, Station 6, was asked to assist assist Bayworld in rescuing a beached dolphin in shallow surf at Sardinia Bay.
An NSRI rescue craft, Rescue 6 Alpha, was launched while an NSRI rescue vehicle and NSRI crew in private vehicles responded.
The dolphin appeared to be in good good health,and was secured into a specialised marine animal stretcher and loaded onto a Bayworld vehicle before being transported to NSRI Gqeberha rescue station in the care of marine scientists and NSRI rescue members.
The dolphin was placed on board the rescue craft and taken 5 nautical miles off-shore and then released into the sea Algoa Bay involving a complex rescue operation in a rough sea state.
The dolphin swam away strongly after surfacing once for a breath. A Bayworld marine scientist is cautiously optimistic that the dolphin will survive.
