Home / Environment / Dolphin Tragedy and Rescue: A Desperate Struggle in Cornish Mudflats
Dolphin Tragedy and Rescue: A Desperate Struggle in Cornish Mudflats
25 Aug
Summary
- One dolphin died, another rescued from thick mud in Cornwall
- Locals helped medics move the surviving dolphin to open waters
- Risso's dolphin pod spotted shortly before the rescued dolphin was released
On July 25th, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded in Cornwall as two dolphins became stranded in thick mud, four miles away from the sea. The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) team rushed to the scene at Penpoll near the River Fowey after receiving reports of the distressed mammals.
Sadly, one of the dolphins did not survive the ordeal. However, the BDMLR team was able to rescue the other dolphin, using an airbed to support the animal. With the help of local residents who provided kayaks and a paddle board, the rescuers managed to move the distraught dolphin to the open waters of the River Fowey, where it swam away immediately.
Shortly before the dolphin's release, a pod of Risso's dolphins was spotted passing through the area, adding to the bittersweet nature of the incident. The deceased dolphin was recovered with the assistance of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Strandings Network, and a post-mortem examination will be conducted by the Cornwall Marine Pathology Team.
