Discovery of Dead Dolphin on Riverbank
A father and son expressed their shock after encountering a deceased dolphin on a riverbank. Archie Wayman and his father Glen Wayman found the animal beside the New Bedford River in Mepal, Cambridgeshire, on Sunday while returning home from work.
Archie recounted how his father noticed the common dolphin while driving along the A142.
"We were in disbelief, I thought he was winding me up to start with."
Expert Insight and Previous Sightings
Dan Jarvis, director of welfare and conservation at British Divers Marine Life Rescue, stated that the charity had received a report about the dolphin on the previous Thursday. A volunteer had gone to monitor the animal, but unfortunately, that was the last time it was seen alive.
Jarvis noted that observing a dolphin in this particular area of the county is unusual compared to sightings further downstream near the River Great Ouse, King's Lynn, and The Wash.
"There have been a few incidents where they go up [stream] and can't find a way out, and sometimes they need assistance,"
he explained.
Possible Causes and Charity Response
According to Jarvis, it is not uncommon for dolphins to become disoriented. This case might have involved the animal following a food source into difficulty or being unwell.
The charity was informed on Friday that the dolphin had died. The precise cause of death remains undetermined pending a post-mortem examination.
British Divers Marine Life Rescue encourages the public to document any inland sightings of such animals with photos or videos and to report these observations to their hotline.
Additional Information
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