Stranded dolphins

[Notch7]

I realise it’s nature, but it seems sad to see all those animals lying on the beach dying

 

[fillyboy]

I realise it’s nature, but it seems sad to see all those animals lying on the beach dying

They're mammals, sad nonetheless. I always felt privileged when a pod of dolphins decided to chase me on the yacht, playing in the bow wave and jumping up by the cockpit to look you in the eye and smile. Magical.

 

[robinbanks]

I wonder what the best strategy would be for refloating something so dug in..

Tug boat with a long line, harness around the tail and drag it back into the water?

 

[Notch7]

They're mammals, sad nonetheless. I always felt privileged when a pod of dolphins decided to chase me on the yacht, playing in the bow wave and jumping up by the cockpit to look you in the eye and smile. Magical.

That really is a privilege

Those humpback whales down your way are amazing.

 

[Notch7]

I wonder what the best strategy would be for refloatingsomwthing so dug in..

Tug boat with a long line, harness around the tail and drag it back into the water?

They didn’t explain why but they said even if refloated they usually die.

 

[big-all]

I wonder what the best strategy would be for refloatingsomwthing so dug in..

Tug boat with a long line, harness around the tail and drag it back into the water?

whilst fantastically well-meaning, i would think the fact you are shackling/restraining/pulling fully against the natural flow forcing water into gills with breathing discomfort and possible danger being possibly evil to an animal in its mind may be very to overly stressful leading to failure and possible death
now the actions may have worked out brilliantly encouraging to fresh water with a happy ending or a never ending death cycle to repeat the grounding danger leading to death we will never know
all i am suggesting is good positive action may not be as clear cut as what is in our heads

 

[noseall]

pulling fully against the natural flow forcing water into gills

Not with a mammal.

 

[jj4091]

whilst fantastically well-meaning, i would think the fact you are shackling/restraining/pulling fully against the natural flow forcing water into gills with breathing discomfort and possible danger being possibly evil to an animal in its mind may be very to overly stressful leading to failure and possible death
now the actions may have worked out brilliantly encouraging to fresh water with a happy ending or a never ending death cycle to repeat the grounding danger leading to death we will never know
all i am suggesting is good positive action may not be as clear cut as what is in our heads

Do Dolphins have gills?

 

[Mottie]

Do Dolphins have gills?

Only fish have gills. Like whales, they breath through the hole on their head.

 

[jj4091]

That's what I thought, so apart from being rather surprising for them, towing them by the tail should not be too harmful.

 

[Odds]

That's what I thought, so apart from being rather surprising for them, towing them by the tail should not be too harmful.

I dunno about that - get yer missus to pull you long t'road by your tail and see how you like it.

 

[blup]

Various theories have been put forward, like disease, damaged sonar, starvation, or just getting lost in the shallows. Like forever trumpers, they follow the leader until the tragic end. The only difference being you feel sorry for the dolphins.

 

[noseall]

The only difference being you feel sorry for the dolphins.

(titter)

 

[motorbiking]

You will see lots of dolphins in the west, last year while crossing lime bay. I spotted at least 20. We get porpoises and seals in the Solent too.

But don’t go on a dolphin watch trip in a fast Rib. They use a hunting pattern to chase the dolphins to make them jump and sprint to escape. Doesn’t look right.

 

[Highway Man]

I would have thought that when the tide comes in that would refloat them naturally rather than drag them into the sea. I was under the impression that the shock and stress would kill them if forced back into the sea by any other means. Such a sad sight seeing them all stranded like that.