Reinard Geldenhuys, NSRI Agulhas station commander, said; “On Monday 25 April at 13:50 a member of the public informed NSRI Agulhas that a dolphin was found and appearing to be in trouble on Struisbaai beach. NSRI Agulhas volunteers were activated and upon arrival found a dolphin in the surf, appearing to be disorientated and slightly injured suspected to be due to a possible strike by a boat propeller.
Sea Rescue volunteers assisted by members of the public calmed the dolphin and held her safe in the surf while we consulted with Mike Meyer from The Department of Environmental Affairs – Oceans and Coasts. Based on photos MMS’d to Mike Meyer and further information on the condition of the dolphin conveyed by cell phone, it was decided that the best course of action would be to transport the dolphin to deeper water and release her there.
Our sea rescue craft IJ Rescuer II was launched and the dolphin was loaded onto a Stokes basket stretcher and put on board our sea rescue craft. She was then transported to deeper water and released. The dolphin swam away and headed in the direction of where a bigger school of dolphins were spotted.
There have been no further reports of any sighting of the dolphin and we are confident that she has returned to the school of dolphins.”
