Marine experts warn against amateur dolphin rescue attempts

Marine biologists and conservation groups are issuing warnings regarding the risks of amateur intervention during dolphin strandings. In Spain, experts cautioned beachgoers on the Costa Tropical against attempting to manually return stranded striped dolphins to the sea. Marine biologist Alexander Sánchez of Pelagics Conservation noted that dolphins often strand due to underlying illness, injury, or exhaustion, and that the stress of human handling can be fatal.

In a separate incident in County Kerry, Ireland, a large-scale stranding occurred where 21 common dolphins washed ashore near Daingean Uí Chúis. A collaborative effort involving local residents, visitors, and the Gardaí successfully refloated 12 dolphins, including calves, though nine others died before help arrived.

Experts from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group advise that if a dolphin is out of the water, it should be kept in an upright position to allow for normal lung function. They also warn against pulling animals by the tail, as this can cause spinal damage, and urge the public to contact professional organizations immediately rather than attempting rescues themselves.