The two young males stranded on a beach in South Walney Marine Reserve, on Walney Island near Barrow-in-Furness, two days ago. Rescuers faced bitterly cold conditions, fast tides and quicksand.
Marine Mammal Medics from British Divers Marine Life Rescue, led by Area Coordinator Jenny Watkins and assisted by the nature reserve warden and members of the RSPCA and Coastguard, made the animals comfortable on air beds.
They were doused with water to moisten their skin and given rehydration fluids via a stomach tube. BDMLR's Veterinary Director James Barnett studied pictures of the dolphins sent from mobile phones and decided that they were in good enough condition to refloat. One was quite active and vocal, the other one quieter.
'We moved the dolphins into the water on the airbeds and a dolphin stretcher and started our procedure of rocking the dolphins gently to restore their equilibrium and muscle tone,' said Watkins. 'The RSPCA also helped with getting the dolphins into the water, we all worked together as a team really well.'
After a final examination, the creatures were sent on their way and, to everyone's relief, moved off strongly.
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