Holidaymakers’ quick thinking helps save two stranded dolphins in Clare

Quick thinking holidaymakers managed to save two dolphins stranded on a beach in West Clare.

People staying at the Green Acres caravan park in Doonaha on the Loop Head Peninsula alerted owner Niall McGrath to the plight of two Common Dolphins washed up onto the rocky beach. A rescue operation got under way to get the stressed mother and calf back into the water.

“They looked as good as dead, especially the young one,” Niall told the Limerick Post. “The calf had blood around its mouth and there were very little signs of life. I didn’t think they were going to make it. Some of the Limerick lads on the site rallied and got buckets of water and tarps to keep the dolphins wet until experts from the Shannon Dolphin and Wildlife Foundation arrived,” he said. Isabel Baker and Meadbh Quinn assessed the dolphins’ respiratory rate and made sure their stress levels were down before attempting to refloat the stranded mammals.