Members of the public and marine mammal response staff came to the rescue of a stranded porpoise on Vancouver Island this week.
Paul Cottrell, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada marine mammal response coordinator, said he and another specialist on scene, with assistance from beach-goers at Pacific Shores Resort and Spa in Nanoose Bay, were able to help the porpoise and guide it back into deep waters Sunday, Aug. 14.
Cottrell estimated the calf was less than a month old, and said it was 含羞草研究社渢hrashing含羞草研究社� in a tidal pool. Those who called the DFO for assistance did the right thing, he said.
含羞草研究社淚t含羞草研究社檚 all about quick response with these young animals and cetaceans when they end up on land,含羞草研究社� said Cottrell. 含羞草研究社淕ravity is really difficult. Their blood pools and they get disoriented, so it was important to get that animal back in the water and see if it could reorient itself.含羞草研究社�
He said porpoises travel in smaller groups, usually consisting of mother and calf, and it appears the porpoise became separated.
含羞草研究社淭hey were able to then take it out into deeper water and take some time with it to see if it could equilibrate and get its bearings back,含羞草研究社� said Cottrell. 含羞草研究社淚t took a long time 含羞草研究社� they ended up taking it out into deep water and giving it the best chance in releasing the animal. We含羞草研究社檙e hoping the animal met up with mom, we含羞草研究社檙e optimistic, but it含羞草研究社檚 a difficult one at that age to reunite.含羞草研究社�
Nathalie Marie, who lives close by, said she spotted the calf and it appeared to be injured.
含羞草研究社淭here was a bit of fishing line around the snout, so we took that out and then it had a few lacerations on the body, but there was no bleeding or anything. It was caused by the rocks,含羞草研究社� she said.
Cottrell said the injuries were superficial, but the porpoise still needed to get into deeper waters.
含羞草研究社淭hey actually had a paddleboard they were able to use to get the animal out into deep waters, so it was less likely to re-strand and [was able to] get its bearings含羞草研究社卟菅芯可鐫 he said. 含羞草研究社淚t swam and then, of course, it moved on and it was getting late for the folks. We含羞草研究社檙e hoping for the best.含羞草研究社�
It含羞草研究社檚 difficult to determine why the porpoise stranded itself, according to Cottrell. It could have been avoiding killer whales because of 含羞草研究社減otential predation含羞草研究社� or it could have been foraging for food in shallow water, he said.
Marie said it was a memorable moment.
含羞草研究社淚t was the most beautiful, little, soft creature I含羞草研究社檝e ever touched,含羞草研究社� said Marie. 含羞草研究社淚含羞草研究社檒l never forget.含羞草研究社�
If people encounter stranded porpoises, dolphins, whales, otters and similar sea life, they are asked to call the DFO含羞草研究社檚 hotline, 1-800-465-4336, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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