A dolphin calf, separated from its mother, was rescued by a tourist boat off the coast of Wales after it was found struggling in shallow waters.
The team at Dolphin Spotting Boat Trips in New Quay, Ceredigion, spotted the calf and its mother near the shore of Cardigan Bay. However, the mother disappeared, leaving the young dolphin distressed and weak.
Rescue Mission in Action
With the help of volunteers and members of the public, including a local rescuer trained by British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), the team intervened.
A video captured the moment volunteers jumped into the water, attempting to guide the calf to deeper waters. When that failed, they wrapped the dolphin in a blanket and safely transported it onto one of the company’s boats.
A Rare Encounter in Cardigan Bay
While Cardigan Bay is known as a conservation area for bottlenose dolphins, sightings of common dolphins—like the stranded calf—are rare, according to the boat company that has operated in the area for nearly 70 years.
Josh Pedley, a local observer, noted that the mother vanished after a kayaker approached, though it remains unclear if the event was related. As the tide continued to recede, the calf began showing signs of distress, swimming in circles and staying on the surface for extended periods.
Mr. Pedley alerted BDMLR, anticipating that the calf might become beached within hours. The rescue team has yet to confirm the calf’s condition following the intervention.
