Dolphin fears after coastguards spot two in UK river – 40 MILES from sea

Two dolphins were spotted 40 miles inland in the River Ouse near Goole, East Yorkshire. The sightings were first reported on January 24, and have been seen twice since.

Teams from Hull Coastguard Rescue Team said they are aware of the bottle nose dolphins, after British Divers Marine Life Rescue alerted the group.

A spokesman for the Hull Coastguard Rescue Team said in January: “There appeared to be two adults and a calf and whilst not unheard of, it is a concern that they’re that far up river.

“The situation will be monitored over the coming days in the hope the animals don’t strand and continue feeding.”

Bethan Clyne, of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, monitored the “beautiful” animals over the weekend as Storms Malik and Corrie battered the UK.

She said: “Despite the circumstance, they are in good condition and showing signs of a nice healthy weight.

“For a period of time, it seemed like they were actively feeding as the tide came in.”

She then added: “As amazing as it is to have these beautiful creatures on our doorstep, let’s hope they can navigate their own way back to sea soon.”

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Speaking to Hull Live, Ms Clyne explained that the dolphins are safe despite the wintry conditions.

The end of January saw extreme winds from Storm Malik, which buffered parts of the north.

She said: “It is safe. Bottlenose dolphins are very adaptable and feed on a wide variety of fish no matter the condition or sea state.

“We have a resident pod currently sighted around the North East Yorkshire coast where they have been for a few years now.”

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She then added: “As amazing as it is to have these beautiful creatures on our doorstep, let’s hope they can navigate their own way back to sea soon.”

Speaking to Hull Live, Ms Clyne explained that the dolphins are safe despite the wintry conditions.

The end of January saw extreme winds from Storm Malik, which buffered parts of the north.

She said: “It is safe. Bottlenose dolphins are very adaptable and feed on a wide variety of fish no matter the condition or sea state.

“We have a resident pod currently sighted around the North East Yorkshire coast where they have been for a few years now.”

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) has urged Britons not to re-float beached animals, after members of the public accidentally drowned a two-month-old dolphin.

Members of the public tried to save a stranded dolphin in Orkney in the Northern Isles in January, accidentally killing the white-beaked dolphin calf.

They said: “On Saturday, January 22, 2022, BDMLR were alerted to what was reported to be alive stranded harbour porpoise on the beach in Scapa, Orkney.

“Unfortunately, before our Marine Mammal Medics arrived, the animal had been re-floated by well-meaning members of the public, and on arrival our medics sadly found the animal floating listlessly in the water where it appeared to have drowned.

“The body was retrieved from the shallows and medics were extremely surprised to find that rather than being a harbour porpoise, the animal was in fact a young white-beaked dolphin calf.

“A sad outcome for this poor dolphin which highlights the importance of contacting rescue organisations for assistance and advice – there is often a reason why animals have stranded and it is very important they have a full assessment before any re-float attempt is made.

“If you find a stranded porpoise, dolphin or whale, please do not touch or move them and call our emergency rescue line on 01825 765546 (option one) for advice and we will dispatch trained medics to attend the scene with the appropriate PPE and equipment.”