Authorities praise Tasman Peninsula walkers for saving bottle-nosed dolphin and calf

A FEMALE dolphin and her calf are safely back at sea, thanks to two bushwalkers who found them in distress on a remote Tasman Peninsula beach.

This bottle-nosed dolphin stranded on a Tasman Peninsula beach earlier this week was saved by two quick-thinking bushwalkers. Picture: WHALES TAS FACEBOOK PAGE

A FEMALE dolphin and her calf are safely back at sea, thanks to two bushwalkers who found them in distress on a remote Tasman Peninsula beach.

The walkers alerted authorities to the dolphins’ plight after discovering the mother stranded on Crescent Beach earlier this week, while the calf circled in waters nearby.

The pair managed to take care of the stranded marine mammal until expert help arrived in the form of officers from the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment’s Marine Conservation Program about two hours later.

“Advised on how to manage stranded cetaceans, the two bushwalkers did a great job stabilising and keeping the female dolphin cool, while the calf was circling immediately outside from the surf zone,” the MCP said in a Facebook post.

“The dolphin was in excellent health and ready to be immediately returned to sea.

“Once released, the mother quickly reunited with her calf that was waiting offshore and the pair were observed swimming strongly into deeper water, heading towards Tasman Island.”

To report strandings, contact the whale hotline [phone].

This dolphin tale has a very happy ending. Picture: WHALES TAS FACEBOOK PAGE

Originally published as Authorities praise Tasman Peninsula walkers for saving bottle-nosed dolphin and calf