DURBAN - The National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has hailed the beachgoers who raised the alarm after a dolphin washed on to rocks at Lower Point, Jeffreys Bay, at the weekend.
The dolphin had scrapes and cuts on its fins suspected to have been caused from striking the rocks.
NSRI said two young fishermen and members of the public had tried to get the dolphin into the sea without success.
“The Marine Animal Stranding Network was alerted and a vet sent to the scene. The vet deemed the dolphin to be in good health despite the minor cuts.
“Assisted by members of the public, NSRI loaded the dolphin onto a bakkie and it was transported to Dolphin Beach.”
The mammal was then loaded onto the NSRI sea rescue craft Project Group Rescuer and released 1.5km out to sea.
“The dolphin swam around the sea rescue craft a few times before raising its head out the water and then disappearing into the sea, and (the) NSRI are cautiously optimistic that the dolphin has survived.”