Diver Comes to the Rescue of Stranded Dolphin in Cornwall
A commercial diver came to the aid of a dolphin after discovering the animal struggling in shallow water near Falmouth, Cornwall.
Connor Hunter was at Mylor Creek on Wednesday, 16 September, when he spotted a fin and splashing in a shallow stream left by the falling tide.
On investigating, he discovered a dolphin in around a foot of water, with part of its back exposed above the surface.
Realising the animal was in difficulty, Connor entered the water and checked it for any obvious signs of injury before attempting to guide it towards deeper water.
The dolphin initially appeared panicked, but Connor said it became calmer as he began moving it away from the shallows.
He eventually managed to manoeuvre the animal into deeper water, where it was able to swim independently. Connor continued splashing in an attempt to encourage it away from the shallow creek and towards safer water.
For Connor, who had always dreamed of swimming with dolphins, it was certainly not the encounter he had imagined – but one he was delighted had ended positively.
Mylor Creek and the wider Fal and Helford area have seen dolphins become stranded or disorientated in their complex network of shallow, tidal creeks before.
Anyone who discovers a dolphin, whale, porpoise or other marine mammal that appears to be stranded or in distress should contact British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) for specialist advice before attempting to intervene. Its rescue hotline operates 24 hours a day on 01825 765546.
