This morning, Nature Trust (Malta) received reports of a distressed, young striped dolphin in Qawra.
NTM said that on arrival the dolphin was found to be in a lost and disorientated state, probably after being separated from its mother. The rough seas complicated matters for the dolphin as it sustained cuts as the waves kept pushing it against the rocks.
With the help of the Animal Welfare department and the Police, the three-month old dolphin was brought ashore and passed on to the Nature Trust (Malta) Wildlife Rescue Team, MEPA as the competent authority for protected species, and Dr. Anthony Gruppetta as the expert vet for examination.
The District Police went to the site as soon as notification was received this morning of the dolphin and found that on the perched beach at Qawra, there was a small dolphin which was injured.
Due to the rough and high waves, the mammal was being dragged towards the rocks scratching and injuring itself further so a Police Sergeant and two Police Constables decided to enter the water where they managed to keep the mammal stable, until the rescue was completed.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authroity (MEPA) also confirmed that earlier today at 10.30am, it received a report that a young live striped dolphin was found in Qawra.
Officials from MEPA’s Environment Protection Directorate and Nature Trust (Malta) within 15 minutes from receiving the report were on site and took immediate measures to secure the animal from further damage, until the veterinarian from the Veterinary Services Department could ascertain the state of the animal.
The dolphin is now in an inshore tank for further monitoring and under the full care of Dr. Gruppetta.