Community effort to save dolphin ends in heartbreaking decision
A difficult decision was made on Ramsgate Beach after a stranded striped dolphin was found to be in serious distress.
A day that began with hopes of saving a stranded dolphin ended with a painful decision on Ramsgate Beach near the Big Tree parking area.
The striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) had come ashore, prompting beachgoers and members of the community to rally around the animal and see whether it could be saved.
When compassion means letting go
Those who attended to the dolphin made efforts to assist it, but after careful assessment, it became clear that the animal was in serious distress.
Returning it to the ocean would not have given it a reasonable chance of survival, leading to the difficult decision to humanely euthanise it.
A difficult decision
For those at the scene, watching the dolphin’s final moments was deeply emotional.
The animal was surrounded by people who had taken the time to help, ensuring that its final moments were handled with dignity and that it did not suffer unnecessarily.
Community shows compassion
Carla Steenkamp of Ramsgate Conservancy thanked everyone who played a part in the response.
“Together we make the South Coast better by the day,” she said.
“The incident also served as a reminder of the rich marine environment along the South Coast, where beaches are home to a variety of wildlife, including turtles, whales, dolphins and seabirds.”
About the striped dolphin
The striped dolphin is an energetic and highly social marine mammal.
It is a fast and agile swimmer and feeds on fish, squid and other small marine animals. The species has numerous small, sharp teeth adapted for catching prey.
Like other dolphins, striped dolphins use sophisticated communication and echolocation to navigate and hunt. They are also highly social animals and can travel in groups numbering hundreds or even thousands.
Community thanked
While the outcome at Ramsgate was tragic, the response highlighted the willingness of the local community to step forward when marine life is in trouble.
Thanks were extended to Dr Leon Bruggeman, the surfers, Ramsgate Community Police Forum, Southbroom Conservancy, Ramsgate Conservancy, Wolf Security, Tidy Towns Shelly to Margate, Lower South Coast SPCA, Gerrie and Winston.
For one dolphin, the final journey ended sadly – but it was not alone.
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