Dolphin found on Gaoth Dobhair beach had been stranded

A female Risso's dolphin which was discovered on Port Arthur beach on May 16 died due to live stranding. The Risso's dolphin is one of three to have been found on coasts around the country this month. 

The dolphin which was discovered in Gaoth Dobhair was sent to the Athlone Regional Vet Lab for examination.

A post mortem was carried out on the adult female which revealed her to be quite thin, with no evidence of recent feeding. Large amounts of sand was found in the esophagus and in the lungs. The cause of the stranding is unknown. The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) are awaiting bacteriology results from the lab. 

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The Stranding Officer for IWDG, Stephanie Levesque said it is very important that people report sightings of stranding animals whether they be alive or dead. She says acting quickly is necessary to get animals to the lab quickly as they deteriorate extremely quickly after death, especially coming into the summer months.