Adults and children who recently happened to be in St Thomas Bay were surprised to see a ‘dolphin’ being carried in the back of a jeep during a training session for rescue volunteers. The life-like specimen was a rubber dolphin used for training purposes by those who tend to stranded dolphins.

The volunteers form part of Nature Trust (Malta)’s Wildlife Rescue Team, which is made up of 19 volunteers who are trained to rescue marine turtles and stranded dolphins. Formerly known as the Marine Rescue Team, the Wildlife Rescue Team has saved an average of 10 marine turtles every year since it was set up 20 years ago.

The team, which also includes four veterinarians, receives training on turtle handling from local expert Charles Sammut. Training is also provided by a UK based pathologist, James Barnett, who has 20 years of experience rescuing stranded dolphins and was recently in Malta. Mr Barnett is a volunteer with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue Team and comes to Malta every couple of years to give a course on Mediterranean cetacea.

Nature Trust executive president Vince Attard said, “Were it not for the commitment of the rescue team, who paid for the trip, and the generosity of British Divers Marine Life Rescue, who delivered the course for free, it would be difficult for an NGO to provide such vital training. The Malta Environment and Planning Authority issues permits for handling protected species on condition that Nature Trust volunteers receive adequate training. Dolphins and marine turtles are protected under Maltese law.”

Mr Barnett’s recent visit was also made possible thanks to the support of local businesses. Corinthia Marina Hotel provided free accommodation to Mr Barnett, Air Malta are sponsoring the ‘Adopt a Turtle’ campaign as well as a film production (in the making) about the life of a rescued turtle from the moment it is rescued until it is released back to the sea, Clearprint provided the Wildlife Rescue Team with new t-shirts, and Zion Bar and Restaurant provided water during the training session.

Nature Trust urges the public to be cautious, especially during the summer months, when Maltese waters are home to different species of marine turtles and dolphins. Fast boats and pollution can harm these creatures, most of which are endangered, and turtles can mistake plastic for jellyfish, or accidently become entangled in loose nylon fishing lines.

Further information on what you can do if you spot an injured or stranded animal can be found on www.naturetrustmalta.org.

Members of the rescue team can also be contacted directly on 99422086 or 99422085.

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