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Orwell River dolphin found dead after being freed from netting
Overview
A common dolphin that was rescued from green netting in the River Orwell near Ipswich has been found dead a day later. The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) reported that the male dolphin, measuring 2.2m, failed to leave the river with the tide after being freed. Multi-agency recovery operations were carried out, and the body has been stored for a post-mortem examination by the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme.
Key points
- A dolphin was spotted in the River Orwell on Wednesday with green netting clamped around its beak and pectoral fins.
- Despite being freed from the net, the animal continued to circle the river and did not leave with the tide.
- The BDMLR team found the dolphin dead on Thursday.
- The deceased animal was identified as a 2.2m-long male common dolphin.
- HM Coastguard, the Environment Agency, Suffolk Police, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, and Marine Mammal Medics assisted in recovering the body.
- A post-mortem examination will be conducted by the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme to determine the cause of death.