Members of the public and marine mammal response staff came to the rescue of a stranded porpoise on Vancouver Island this week.

Paul Cottrell, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada marine mammal response coordinator, said he and another specialist on scene, with assistance from beach-goers at Pacific Shores Resort and Spa in Nanoose Bay, were able to help the porpoise and guide it back into deep waters Sunday, Aug. 14.

Cottrell estimated the calf was less than a month old, and said it was 91裸聊视频渢hrashing91裸聊视频� in a tidal pool. Those who called the DFO for assistance did the right thing, he said.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 all about quick response with these young animals and cetaceans when they end up on land,91裸聊视频� said Cottrell. 91裸聊视频淕ravity is really difficult. Their blood pools and they get disoriented, so it was important to get that animal back in the water and see if it could reorient itself.91裸聊视频�

He said porpoises travel in smaller groups, usually consisting of mother and calf, and it appears the porpoise became separated.

91裸聊视频淭hey were able to then take it out into deeper water and take some time with it to see if it could equilibrate and get its bearings back,91裸聊视频� said Cottrell. 91裸聊视频淚t took a long time 91裸聊视频� they ended up taking it out into deep water and giving it the best chance in releasing the animal. We91裸聊视频檙e hoping the animal met up with mom, we91裸聊视频檙e optimistic, but it91裸聊视频檚 a difficult one at that age to reunite.91裸聊视频�

Nathalie Marie, who lives close by, said she spotted the calf and it appeared to be injured.

91裸聊视频淭here was a bit of fishing line around the snout, so we took that out and then it had a few lacerations on the body, but there was no bleeding or anything. It was caused by the rocks,91裸聊视频� she said.

Cottrell said the injuries were superficial, but the porpoise still needed to get into deeper waters.

91裸聊视频淭hey actually had a paddleboard they were able to use to get the animal out into deep waters, so it was less likely to re-strand and [was able to] get its bearings91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淚t swam and then, of course, it moved on and it was getting late for the folks. We91裸聊视频檙e hoping for the best.91裸聊视频�

It91裸聊视频檚 difficult to determine why the porpoise stranded itself, according to Cottrell. It could have been avoiding killer whales because of 91裸聊视频減otential predation91裸聊视频� or it could have been foraging for food in shallow water, he said.

Marie said it was a memorable moment.

91裸聊视频淚t was the most beautiful, little, soft creature I91裸聊视频檝e ever touched,91裸聊视频� said Marie. 91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檒l never forget.91裸聊视频�

If people encounter stranded porpoises, dolphins, whales, otters and similar sea life, they are asked to call the DFO91裸聊视频檚 hotline, 1-800-465-4336, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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