The Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA) has paid tribute to Howth Coast Guard and members of the public who helped release a stranded baby porpoise who became trapped at Portmarnock Beach yesterday afternoon.
The DSPCA paid special thanks to Tom Cassidy (pictured), from Raheny, Dublin, who spent nearly three hours in the water with the animal.
The baby harbour porpoise , a close relative of the dolphin family, found itself stranded onshore and was unable to get back into the sea.
Only a couple of days old, as the umbilical cord was still present, it was most likely separated from its mother and wandered into shallow waters, where it then became confused and landed on the beach.
Eugene Brennan of the Marine Mammal Rescue team was dispatched to the beach, followin a call to the DSPCA. With the help of the Howth Coast Guard, the porpoise was carried one nautical mile out to sea, towards a location where a porpoise pod are usually seen at that time of day.
Coastguard voluneterer Robin Blandford (pictured) held the animal in his arms during the ten minute journey, which he described as a "pretty unique experience."
“We had a bucket of water on standby, as the animal needed to be kept wet.”
After such a traumatic event, there was some concern about the animals future wellbeing.
“Its chances of survival are actually not too bad at all,” Robin said. “To make sure, we stayed for another ten minutes or so after we put it back, and it seemed to be swimming strongly.”
As long as it finds its mother it should be ok. They can communicate with each other underwater.”
Members of the public who may come across stranded or distressed whales, dolphins or porpoises are asked to call the DSPCA or the local Garda Station.