Dolphin dies despite attempts to rescue trio

DESPITE a day’s worth of rescue efforts, one of three stranded dolphins stuck in Porirua Harbour died late yesterday.

The two others were showing signs of distress and disorientation and were trying to head back into shallow waters.

An operation to refloat the Dusky dolphins lasted all day as crews from DOC, Project Jonah and Whale Rescue battled against low tide.

A DOC spokeswoman said the dolphins were trying to return to the Porirua Stream inlet, which would take them into shallow waters, where they originally got stuck yesterday morning.

The crew of at least 10 people were trying to uplift the dolphins and release them into deeper water on the other side of Mana Island, a DOC spokeswoman said at 3pm.

‘‘This approach has been identified by all four parties as the preferred option,’’ she said. ‘‘It is a slow process.’’

Low tide in Porirua Harbour was at 2.47pm and high tide at 8.34pm.

Helpers in the water were being rostered in and out to ensure they didn’t get too cold.

‘‘All people in the water have experience in this type of operation. Appropriate PPE is being worn as required under Covid-19 alert level 2 and face masks are required when working around marine mammals,’’ the DOC spokeswoman said.

Members of the public were being asked to keep their distance.

‘‘While we understand the urge to help in these events, we have trained marine mammal rescue crew on-site and are working with Project Jonah and Whales Rescue to ensure minimal stress on the dolphins.

‘‘Anyone who assists with marine mammal strandings must have the appropriate training, such as Project Jonah’s Marine Mammal Medic course,’’ she said.

‘‘We also ask that everyone follows proper alert level 2 protocols such as social distancing.’’

Representatives from Nga¯ ti Toa were also on-site.