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Common dolphin found dead in the River Orwell after being freed from netting
Overview
A common dolphin that was rescued and disentangled from netting in the River Orwell near Ipswich has later been found dead. Rescuers had initially freed the mammal near the Sir Bobby Robson Bridge, but it failed to leave with the tide and died. Experts note that while it is not entirely unusual for dolphins to swim upriver following food sources or when sick, such inland sightings remain rare and often result in stranding or death.
Key points
- A common dolphin was spotted tangled in netting in the River Orwell near Ipswich Railway Station.
- Rescuers from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service, and a marine vet successfully freed the dolphin near the Sir Bobby Robson Bridge.
- Despite being freed and showing active swimming, the dolphin did not head back to sea and was found dead the following day.
- Experts from Whale and Dolphin Conservation suggest the animal may have been sick, lost, or chasing prey.
- The dolphin's body has been recovered for a post-mortem examination by the Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme to determine the exact cause of death.