A Risso’s dolphin calf rescued from Willard Beach on Christmas Eve was euthanised after efforts to save her failed.

The calf, less than a month old with visible birth folds, became disoriented among bathers and stranded. Despite attempts to return her to the ocean, she repeatedly beached herself.
Ann Kuntz, a spokesperson for the South African Association for Marine Biological Research (SAAMBR) at uShaka Sea World, said it was impossible to know with certainty what caused the dolphin to become stranded.

“We feel that the dolphin was either abandoned by her mother or that her mother was attacked, possibly killed by a predator,” said Kuntz.

“This might have led the dolphin being alone and becoming disorientated and stranded.”

Risso’s dolphins are closely related to pilot whales, pygmy killer whales, melon-headed whales, and false killer whales. They can dive to depths of 600 metres, and travel in pods of 10 to 50 dolphins.

“Risso dolphins prefer living in deeper waters, just off the continental shelf. They are deep sea dolphins, and their pods do not generally enter shallow waters.

“They are not accustomed to environmental limitations such as shorelines and rockpools, and they can easily become disoriented close to land,” said Kuntz.

Several attempts were made to return the dolphin into the ocean but failed. The dolphin continued to beach itself.

Lifeguards alerted the Specialised Rescue Unit (SRU) who took the mammal to uShaka Marine World for treatment and observation, but nothing could be done to save the calf.

Kuntz ruled out any infectious disease being the cause of death.

“There was body stiffening with decreasing mobility, rapid breathing, and an extraordinary low white cell count. It was decided that the kindest, most humane assistance we could offer the struggling dolphin was peaceful euthanasia.”

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