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 B次元官网网址渢hrashingB次元官网网址� in a tidal pool. Those who called the DFO for assistance did the right thing, he said.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 all about quick response with these young animals and cetaceans when they end up on land,B次元官网网址� said Cottrell. B次元官网网址淕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.B次元官网网址�
He said porpoises travel in smaller groups, usually consisting of mother and calf, and it appears the porpoise became separated.
B次元官网网址淭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,B次元官网网址� said Cottrell. B次元官网网址淚t took a long time B次元官网网址� they ended up taking it out into deep water and giving it the best chance in releasing the animal. WeB次元官网网址檙e hoping the animal met up with mom, weB次元官网网址檙e optimistic, but itB次元官网网址檚 a difficult one at that age to reunite.B次元官网网址�
Nathalie Marie, who lives close by, said she spotted the calf and it appeared to be injured.
B次元官网网址淭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,B次元官网网址� she said.
Cottrell said the injuries were superficial, but the porpoise still needed to get into deeper waters.
B次元官网网址淭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 bearingsB次元官网网址次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚t swam and then, of course, it moved on and it was getting late for the folks. WeB次元官网网址檙e hoping for the best.B次元官网网址�
ItB次元官网网址檚 difficult to determine why the porpoise stranded itself, according to Cottrell. It could have been avoiding killer whales because of B次元官网网址減otential predationB次元官网网址� or it could have been foraging for food in shallow water, he said.
Marie said it was a memorable moment.
B次元官网网址淚t was the most beautiful, little, soft creature IB次元官网网址檝e ever touched,B次元官网网址� said Marie. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檒l never forget.B次元官网网址�
If people encounter stranded porpoises, dolphins, whales, otters and similar sea life, they are asked to call the DFOB次元官网网址檚 hotline, 1-800-465-4336, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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