Dolphins stranded on French coast: a race against time to save 17 marine mammals

In France, an operation involving over 30 people allowed 16 dolphins to be saved from certain death. The cetaceans were trapped at low tide

Indeed, it was a race against time for the police, fire fighters, environmental officers, and volunteers in the French municipalities of Saint-Martin-de-Ré and Couarde-sur-Mer. Indeed, a fisherman spotted a large number of dolphins stranded on a stretch of beach, trapped in the mud, and immediately raised the alarm.

Seventeen cetaceans were caught by the low tide, including calves which were in danger of losing their lives. Unfortunately, one of them died probably before the arrival of rescue teams.

The alert came in this morning around 10:00 a.m., mobilizing more than 30 people, including members of the Pelagis Observatory from La Rochelle. More than three hours in total for the rescue operation.

The marine wildlife rescuers then covered them with wet blankets to protect their skin from overheating, and to keep their body fluids running, so they could be saved from dying of thirst. Planning various ways of returning the dolphins into the sea were considered, but not all were viable.

Dragging them into the water was ruled out because this would have imposed further stress on the marine mammals. After a careful deliberation, the teams decided to wait for the high tide, which came to be the best solution. Most of the dolphins are now safe.

The scientific team of the Pelagis Observatory explained to the French media that these cetacean strandings along coasts are regretfully more frequent these days. The causes can vary and remain under investigation.

The body of the dead dolphin was sent to the laboratories of the center for performing a necropsy and gathering further details on what happened.