Dolphin rescue was an extraordinary experience
The rugby first team of Hoër Volkskool, while visiting Walvis Bay on a rugby tour of Namibia, had an extraordinary experience on March 20 when they were asked to assist in rescuing stranded dolphins in the lagoon.
JJ du Plessis said they were busy sharpening their rugby skills during a practice session on the rugby pitch at the Walvis Bay Private High School when the call for them to assist came.
“We all jumped in the bus and off we went. After a short drive we arrived on the shore of the lagoon – a short distance from town and we waded in to help the people already there,” JJ said.
He said he and his team mates helped to lift the dolphins that were stranded in the shallows of the lagoon onto tarpaulins and pontoons and then floating them out to deeper water.
“We came here to play rugby against the guys from the private school, so the entire experience is not something I ever expected. It is a good feeling to know we helped the dolphins back to the open ocean and it’s not something I or any of my team mates will forget soon.”
Jack Fearey, one of the volunteer marine scientists working for the Namibian Dolphin Project said they got the call that two bottlenose dolphins were stranded in the lagoon just south of an outcrop known locally as Lover’s Hill. He said one of the kayak tour guides that drove past on the way to Pelican Point alerted the dolphin project team to the plight of the dolphins.
“Upon arrival on the scene, our crew assessed the situation while the crowd rapidly grew as curious passersby gathered on the road towards the salt pans. We were able to positively identify the individual dolphins as two sexually immature males, approximately seven years of age and weighing about 300 kilograms each. We have both these boys on our records and know them quite well as they are frequent visitors to the lagoon. They usually swim up in the lagoon to feed.”
Fearey said while the dolphin project crew members were taking basic measurements and going through the normal identification procedures, the refloatation equipment was prepared and all hands made ready as they prepared to move the animals safely to deeper waters. They were soon successfully refloated and immediately carried on with their normal behaviour when they were released into one of the deeper channels.
“We were lucky to have a cooperative crowd who were eager to do their part for the dolphins. We even had an entire boys’ rugby team show up, ready to put their muscles to good use. These young guys were very strong and a great help.”
| Follow us on: | ||
 |
 |
 |
 |
