Dolphin suffers broken jaw, dies on Zinkwazi beach

A common dolphin died on an isolated stretch of Zinkwazi beach on Friday afternoon after twice beaching itself and suffering a broken jaw.

Locals apparently spotted a beached dolphin this afternoon and contacted the stranding network.

Members of the stranding network – including representatives of the Sharksboard and Specialised Rescue Zinkwazi – assisted the creature back into the surf.

This was not enough to save the struggling dolphin though, as it soon beached itself once again.

Upon closer inspection it became apparent that the dolphin had a broken jaw.

Carmen Power of Specialised Rescue told The Courier that it was unclear whether the broken jaw was the reason for the dolphin’s repeatedly stranding itself.

“There are rocks offshore and also a reef – it’s possible the dolphin broke its jaw there,” she said.

Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife was notified of the situation and will remove the carcass.

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