Kerry: Nine stranded dolphins die despite local people's urgent effort to save them

Spanish family holidaying in Kerry raised the alarm when they saw the dolphins come onshore at Feohanagh

People rushed to save 16 stranded dolphins after a family from Spain holidaying in Co Kerry raised the alarm.

Local people rushed to try to save 16 dolphins, including seven ‘babies’ that were crying out to their mothers after they got stranded on a beach in Kerry.

A Spanish family on holiday raised the alarm when they saw the dolphins come to the shore on a beach at Feohanagh.

They called Kevin Flannery, marine biologist and director of Dingle Ocean World aquarium, for help.

“The family had been bird-watching, and they saw dolphins coming ashore. They were stranded, so they rang the aquarium.

Local people scrambled to move the dolphins that were stranded in Co Kerry back into the water. 

“There were 16 dolphins there. Seven of them were babies. They were stranded high and dry.

“The young were still calling out to their mother. It was harrowing. Some of them were dead by the time I arrived.”

Mr Flannery and the Spanish family immediately lifted three dolphin calves and their mother out to the water. Mr Flannery rang the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) and asked for local people to help.

“When people arrived, we got another six dolphins out alive,” he said. “We put them all back out at sea and they took off. Hopefully, they’ll stay out there and join their pod again.”

However, nine dolphins could not be saved, and died on the beach, he said.

“It’s horrendous to see them die. They are such beautiful creatures.

“But there was nothing we could do for them. They’ll just be buried by the council now, hopefully. But thankfully, people came and people went into the water with their clothes and helped me. And I’m grateful.

Volunteers helping to keep the beached dolphins hydrated. 

“People came with towels, people came with blankets, people came with buckets. Approximately 20 people came to help. Human nature, when it comes down to it, is brilliant.”

The dolphins had been chasing bass or salmon up on the beach when they got stranded, Mr Flannery said.

“There’s no other cause than just chasing fish,” Mr Flannery said.

“We had the whale and dolphin experts here, and it was just a stranding. There’s been no major stranding like this for a good while around, thankfully. But these things do occur when they’re chasing fish close to the shore and up on the beaches.”

The sooner that any beached dolphin or whale can be returned to the water, the higher their chance of survival, he said.

He urged anyone who sees a dolphin or whale stranded on the shore to immediately call the IWDG.

He also advised someone who finds a beached dolphin or whale to keep them moist until help arrives.

The IWDG advises the public to immediately report any strandings to their hotline on 097-28118.

“Do not attempt to refloat the animal. Keep people and dogs away,” their website says.