A distressed dolphin saved by dedicated rescuers after stranding four miles inland is now miraculously thriving out to sea.
The male was one of two spotted stuck in river mud two weeks ago.
Its companion was already dead.
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The pair had become lost and disoriented in the intertidal muddy river system and struggled to find their way out.
Medics scrambled to the scene and used an airbed to support the living dolphin, as reported by What’s The Jam.
It happened at Penpoll near the River Fowey, in Cornwall.
British Divers Marine Life Rescue, BDMLR, had received reports of two stranded common dolphins but one had already died.
Dan Jarvis, welfare and conservation director at BDMLR, said when the dolphin was found it was motionless which caused concern.
He said it would have been some time before the tide came back in.
The dolphin’s breathing rate was within normal parameters and there were no signs of injury or infection, as reported by NeedToKnow.
The rescuers moved it with the help of locals who lent kayaks and a paddleboard.
“Once we’d recovered it to the shore we were able to continue the first aid and carry out the health assessment on the animal,” Dan said at the time.
“We couldn’t get the engine working on the first boat so we ended up getting towed down by a second boat.
“So we had this strange procession with three of ourselves, medics, on board a boat with a dolphin on top of a paddleboard and an airbed, being towed by another boat, out to the mouth of the river Fowey to open water so we could release it.”
A BDMLR spokesperson added: “The dolphin was released in calm waters offshore and swam away immediately shortly before a pod of Risso’s dolphins passed through the area.”
Now they have issued an update revealing the rescued sea mammal is doing well.
A spokesperson said: “A Wildlife Computers SPLASH satellite tag was fitted to monitor the dolphin’s welfare post-release.
“We’re thrilled to share that after a week of regular data, the tag confirms the dolphin is still swimming and thriving.
“Exactly the kind of evidence we hoped to receive that would show this refloat was a real success.”
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