Government and Wildlife Groups team-up over rare Risso's dolphin stranding

Tue, 13 Jun 2023

A female Risso’s dolphin has been found dead by a member of the public after it washed up on Kirk Michael beach last week.

The 2.3 metre long juvenile had no obvious signs of injuries.

The rare stranding was reported to the Marine Strandings Network, which is co-ordinated by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (DEFA) and Manx Wildlife Trust (MWT) before being removed from the beach to determine the cause of death.

The removal efforts involved DEFA, MWT, the Manx Whale and Dolphin Watch (MWDW) and the Manx Museum.

Dr Haywood MHK, DEFA Political Member for the Environment, said: “The waters surrounding the Isle of Man are a ‘hotspot‘ for Risso’s in the summer months. Despite this, relatively little is known about why they come to the Irish Sea, what they specifically eat while here, and why their presence in Manx waters is seasonal.”

 

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