A dolphin has been found dead on Pentewan Beach near St Austell in Cornwall, despite previous rescue efforts. The animal was discovered on Friday by Dani Gibbons, who was cycling with her two sons.
This incident follows a series of dolphin strandings in Cornwall. In December, two dolphins had to be rescued after becoming stranded in a remote creek at Froe on the Roseland peninsula.
Earlier in September, a pod of 11 dolphins became stranded on Godrevy beach near Hayle. Three of them, including a mother and her calf, died. Marine experts suggested the pod may have become stuck while trying to help the mother and calf. About 20 volunteers from Cornwall Wildlife Trust and British Divers Marine Life Rescue managed to refloat eight dolphins, which swam away.
Members of the public who find a stranded whale or dolphin are advised to call the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme hotline on 0800 6520333. They should avoid contact with the animal without protective clothing to prevent disease.
