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 香蕉视频直播渢hrashing香蕉视频直播� in a tidal pool. Those who called the DFO for assistance did the right thing, he said.

香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 all about quick response with these young animals and cetaceans when they end up on land,香蕉视频直播� said Cottrell. 香蕉视频直播淕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.香蕉视频直播�

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

香蕉视频直播淭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,香蕉视频直播� said Cottrell. 香蕉视频直播淚t took a long time 香蕉视频直播� they ended up taking it out into deep water and giving it the best chance in releasing the animal. We香蕉视频直播檙e hoping the animal met up with mom, we香蕉视频直播檙e optimistic, but it香蕉视频直播檚 a difficult one at that age to reunite.香蕉视频直播�

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

香蕉视频直播淭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,香蕉视频直播� she said.

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

香蕉视频直播淭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 bearings香蕉视频直播ο憬妒悠抵辈�� he said. 香蕉视频直播淚t swam and then, of course, it moved on and it was getting late for the folks. We香蕉视频直播檙e hoping for the best.香蕉视频直播�

It香蕉视频直播檚 difficult to determine why the porpoise stranded itself, according to Cottrell. It could have been avoiding killer whales because of 香蕉视频直播減otential predation香蕉视频直播� or it could have been foraging for food in shallow water, he said.

Marie said it was a memorable moment.

香蕉视频直播淚t was the most beautiful, little, soft creature I香蕉视频直播檝e ever touched,香蕉视频直播� said Marie. 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檒l never forget.香蕉视频直播�

If people encounter stranded porpoises, dolphins, whales, otters and similar sea life, they are asked to call the DFO香蕉视频直播檚 hotline, 1-800-465-4336, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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