Dolphin carcass washed ashore

A 1.6-metre dolphin carcass was carried inshore beneath Bugibba Square late on Thursday afternoon.

Nature Trust representative Sarah Muscat said yesterday that the carcass did not have any obvious external injuries that could have led to its death. A post mortem is being held to establish the cause of death.

Ms Muscat said samples, including blubber, teeth and tail specimens, were sent abroad to classify the carcass, which was probably of a juvenile striped dolphin.

The results of the analysis were essential to determine the species, since the main external markings for characterisation of the dolphin were lost, possibly as a result of previous human intervention with instruments on the already-dead dolphin.

Such analysis is part of an international networking of marine rescue teams, which collaborate by sharing data and information for research purposes.

Nature Trust's team was assisted by officers of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority's environment protection directorate and tourism officials.

Nature Trust's rescue team is made up of a core of 10 volunteers, who are on a 24-hour on-call service, and auxiliary team members. The team includes divers, biologists and veterinarians.

The rescue team participates in an average of three dolphin stranding reports per year, as well as numerous turtle stranding reports.

The emergency service, the sampling and the monthly, continued education and training programme are carried out by Nature Trust at high financial costs.