Baby dolphin dies at Ballito beach

A new born, female bottlenose dolphin died on Sunday afternoon, after it washed out at Emberton Way, Ballito.

Specialised Rescue Unit’s Quentin Power said they were contacted when KwaDukuza lifeguards and beachgoers saw people allegedly carrying the dolphin to a holiday unit.

“We were told beachgoers were carrying the dolphin to their unit to put it in their bath. KDM lifeguards and other people on the beach tried to stop them and contacted us. By the time our stranding team arrived, the dolphin was brought back to the beach.”

Power said they contacted the rest of the KZN stranding network.

“Lifeguards and KZN wildlife officials had their hands full trying to keep the crowds at bay, while the uShaka stranding team tried to assess the mammal’s condition. The baby dolphin still had its umbilical cord on and had water in its lungs. Due to all the stress, it died before it could be stabilised.”

Its body was taken to uShaka for the postmortem.

Power said they have had a success rate of about 90% with stranded animals, but it is critical that the following four strict procedures are followed when one comes across such an animal:

1. Do not approach or interact with a stranded animal without proper training.

2. Alert the following authorities: KZN Wildlife on 082 559 2847; Sharks Board on 031 566 0400; Specialised Rescue Unit on 082 789 3332 or 060 305 4803 for stranding teams.

3. If it is a whale or dolphin, do not put water on or near the blow hole, as this will essentially drown the animal.

4. Keep people away from the animal to reduce stress. The animal could be carrying a sickness and if stressed, it might bite.

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