Two dolphins returned to sea after rescue volunteers called to beach at Golspie
Two dolphins which were found beached at Golspie have been returned to the sea after a call was raised earlier this morning.
At approximately 6am today (Tuesday, July 18), medics from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) were called by a member of the public who had come across a stranded dolphin on the beach at Golspie.
The female common dolphin, measuring 1.7 metres, was found to be in moderate body condition as medics assessed the animal and kept her in a stable condition while they waited for additional rescue equipment to arrive from Fortrose.
At around 8.30am, two more dolphins were found further along the beach. Sadly, one was deceased but the other, a 1.6 metre long female, was still alive.
With two vets on scene, the dolphins were given the all-clear to be refloated, and when the equipment arrived a plan was put in place to move both dolphins to a sandy area away from the rocks, before returning them to the sea.
At 10.50am, the dolphins were seen swimming strongly away from Golspie.
Rescue medics continued to monitor the area in case of restraining, before standing down at around noon.
BDMLR are holding a Marine Mammal Medic Course (MMMC) next month, on Sunday August 6 at the East Sutherland Rescue Association in Dornoch.
The course is open to anyone over the age of 18 with no diving experience required. The course is a full day training programme designed to provide candidates with the basic knowledge, skills and expertise to enable volunteer teams to respond to a callout and act on behalf of that animal’s best welfare interests.
More information is available at bdmlr.org.uk.