16th April 2006 - 08.30hrs
Assist in rescue of a dolphin washed ashore at Whitley Bay Beach
HM Coastguard contacted a brigade member who is also a member of the BDMLR (British Divers Marine Life Rescue) after reports were received of a dolphin stuck on the south end of Whitley Bay Beach. The Brigade land rover was sent to the scene along with Cullercoats Inshore Lifeboat to evaluate the dolphin and decide if it could be released back into the sea. Once on scene it was apparent that it was in a serious condition and members of the public who were keeping it cool with water explained that they had attempted to re-float it 3 times already but the dolphin continued to swim back to shore. A member of the BDMLR team arrived on scene and after he carried out a detailed assessment, a vet was requested. While the vet made her way to the scene, members of the brigade, along with members of the public and the BDMLR put a cordon around the dolphin to keep it safe, erected a wind barrier to protect it from the elements, and fetched many buckets of water to pour over the dolphin. During this time it was confirmed that the animal was a female and as it was Easter Day, it was named Easter. The vet and a member of the R.S.P.C.A arrived on scene at 11am and after a detailed examination the decision was made that the dolphin would have to be put down. Brigade members assisted the vet in this process with care being taken at all times to ensure that Easter, who was extremely underweight and suffering from a number of injuries, suffered as little as possible. The body of the dolphin was taken away by the R.S.P.C.A, and with this complete, at just after 12 noon, brigade members returned to station.
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Brigade members Adam, Michael and
Peter watch on as the dolphin is attended to.
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Close-up of dolphin being protected
from strong winds sweeping the beach by a T.V.L.B. stretcher.
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Close up of Brigade landrover bonet
at the scene.
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Despite the best efforts of all the
rescues, the dolphin did not survive and its body was loaded into the
back of the Brigade landrover.
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The Brigade landrover leaves the
scene with St. Mary's Island in the background.
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The Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade. Registered Charity Number 1093237
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