Attempts to save dolphin at Praa Sands beach in Cornwall

This video shows volunteers coming together in a rescue mission to try and save a stranded dolphin in Cornwall at the weekend. 

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) team did everything in their power to get the dolphin back in the water safely, and initially had some success, but sadly he had to be euthanised eventually due to what were described as underlying health conditions.

The male striped dolphin was first reported stranded on the BDMLR hotline at Praa Sands on Saturday (February 17) just after 4pm.

It was the second dolphin to wash up in Cornwall in two days, with a female dolphin also stranded, near Portscatho, on Friday but she was rescued successfully. 

At Praa Sands. members of the public attempted to refloat the two-metre long animal, despite rough surf and poor weather conditions.

The Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team and BDMLR volunteer Marine Mammal Medics were called in to help, and the first medics were able to take control to recover the dolphin, which was being washed up the beach by the waves.

They were able to safely recover the dolphin above the water line, in the hope he could be stabilised and assessed.

Volunteers from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue try to help the dolphin (Image: Dan Jarvis / BDMLR / SWNS)

The team say the species of dolphin - striped - is "infrequently recorded in the UK as it is a warmer-water species usually found in the Bay of Biscay".

Dan Jarvis, from BDMLR, said: "Many stranded striped dolphins in the UK have been found in poor nutritional condition with underlying health issues, so typically have to be put to sleep on that basis, however on this occasion the dolphin was assessed to be in moderate condition, making it a possible candidate to be refloated."

The dolphin also had some old wounds and minor injuries, caused by stranding.

The rescue team described the dolphin as "evidently very stressed", with a breathing rate reaching as high as 14 breaths per minute - which eventually came down due to first aid.

Vets at the scene agreed that a refloat attempt would be possible, but it was not safe to do this at the current site, so they moved to the more sheltered location of Carbis Bay.

It was dark when the team reconvened at the release site, where the dolphin was re-stabilised and taken back into the sea on a tarpaulin.

READ NEXT: Local boat owner helps save dolphin with rescue volunteers

The team say the dolphin was kept under control for a considerable period of time to allow it to recover properly, and as it appeared to get stronger and the breathing rate came down, it was released.

From here, the dolphin spent some time "swimming erratically parallel to the shore" - coming closer in occasionally but then eventually moved further out beyond the range of the torches.

The team searched along the beach but there were no further sightings. The following morning, medics were already out searching the area when a call came in of a dolphin in the surf at Hayle, so a team was deployed with a vet again.

On arrival, BDMLR say a couple of surfers were doing a "good job of managing" the dolphin correctly - and with their help it was brought ashore for reassessment.

Rescuers did everything they could for the dolphin (Image: Dan Jarvis / BDMLR / SWNS)

Dan Jarvis said: "At this point it was clear from its behaviour in the water that its health had declined, and the breathing rate remained erratic despite first aid.

"Due to these factors and concern about other underlying health issues, it was decided euthanasia would be the best option for its welfare as it’s prognosis had considerably deteriorated and it would likely continue to restrand and suffer.

"Following an efficient and painless procedure, it was taken for post mortem examination with Cornwall Marine Pathology Team, where a lot of useful feedback can be provided from their findings to tell us more about this dolphin’s life.

He added: "We would like to thank all our team that attended this incident, along with Penzance Coastguard Rescue Team, members of the public, Cornwall Marine Pathology Team and the Carbis Bay Hotel for their hospitality".

The aims of BDMLR are to provide a rescue service for marine wildlife, to support existing rehabilitation centres and to develop new methods of rescue, treatment, transport and care.