URUGUAY – After being washed ashore, evidently injured by a fishing net, a baby dolphin approximately 10 days old is nursed back to health. The young La Plata river dolphin was discovered by walkers on a beach near the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo; there was no sign of a mother nearby. See the magnificent photos of the tiny dolphin now named Nipper – and the concerned penguin who oversaw his care.
(The erect-crested penguin is an oil spill rescue who’s also recuperating at the reserve.) Find a brief article below about the program aimed at saving orphaned dolphins like this little one pictured. – Global Animal
An erect-crested penguin watches as Richard Tesore, head of the NGO Rescate Fauna Marina, holds a baby La Plata river dolphin in Piriapolis, 100 km (62 miles) east of Montevideo, November 5, 2010. The dolphin, which was found on the beach in the city four days ago, is recovering at the reserve from injuries Photograph by: Andres Stapff, Reuters
Richard Tesore, head of the NGO Rescate Fauna Marina, holds a baby La Plata river dolphin in Piriapolis, 100 km (62 miles) east of Montevideo, November 5, 2010. The dolphin, which was found on the beach in the city four days ago, is recovering at the reserve. Photograph by: Andres Stapff, Reuters
Richard Tesore, head of the NGO Rescate Fauna Marina, feeds a baby La Plata river dolphin in Piriapolis, 100 km (62 miles) east of Montevideo.
An erect-crested penguin watches as Richard Tesore, head of the NGO Rescate Fauna Marina, holds a baby La Plata river dolphin in Piriapolis, 100 km (62 miles) east of Montevideo, November 5, 2010. The dolphin, which was found on the beach in the city four days ago, is recovering at the reserve from injuries. Photograph by: Andres Stapff, Reuters
Richard Tesore, Director of the marine fauna reserve “SOS Fauna Marina” holds a baby doplhin in a pool in Punta Colorada, department of Maldonado, 100 km east of Montevideo, Uruguay, on November 5, 2010. The little dolphin, about 10 days old, was found by tourists, apparently showing marks of a fishing net. Photograph by: (MIGUEL ROJO/AFP/Getty Images)
NEW ZEALAND HERALD, ANNE BESTON
The SOS marine animal rescue centre in Piriapolis, on the coast of Uruguay is trying to save baby Franciscan dolphins orphaned by the nets – but it is a losing battle. At least 1500 adult dolphins are caught in gill nets each year along the 4000km of coastline that links Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. But scientists say the toll could be much higher.
Dr Ricardo Bastida, a marine mammal scientist at Argentina’s University of Mar del Plata, says research on the Franciscan dolphin, also known as the La Plata River dolphin, is almost non-existent and the total population unknown.
It is on the international Red List of threatened species as being of concern due to gill nets, over-fishing and pollution.Scientists from Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina are cooperating to try to find ways to save the dolphins along their coasts. One of the biggest problems is that dolphins are competing with humans for food.
“The fishers are poor people, so it’s very difficult. It’s not just a commercial fishery but also a traditional fishery and the fishermen have to feed their families or they die,” Dr Bastida says. Fishers are being encouraged to attach pingers to their nets, but many are reluctant. Although the sound keeps dolphins away, it attracts sea lions, which eat the fish and destroy the nets.
“Dozens of baby dolphins are caught, but it is almost impossible to rehabilitate them because they are usually in very poor health,” Dr Bastida says.
The SOS marine animal rescue centre was established in 1993 and is one of the first of its kind in South America.
Hand-rearing baby dolphins is one of the few ways conservationists can fight the toll from gill-net fishing. The Franciscan dolphin belongs to a family which includes freshwater species found in the Amazon River and in river deltas in India and China.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=164936
Nov. 8, 2010: JUST IN! Catch the first video: Baby Dolphin Gets Swim Lesson
Nov. 10,2010: UPDATE: The Baby Dolphin’s Recovery & The Boys Who Saved Him
Nov. 12,2010: UPDATE: Rescued Baby Dolphin Battling Hyperthermia
Nov. 13, 2010: Sad News: Nipper The Baby Dolphin Dies
GA
See the video and awe-inspiring story of another favorite dolphin:
The (Love) Story Behind Ben The Dog Swimming With Duggie The Dolphin
and a portion of your purchase – in any department – is donated to Global Animal Foundation.
Arnt fish suppose to stay in water thats what i thought took my fish out of water and it died
I wonder why this new wasnt published here in Uruguay and I have to learn this by this very web site.
Rescate Fauna Marina does an amazing job, most of the times without receiving even a word of thanks by anyone.
Respect to them
If only ALL animals caught in fishing nets would generate as much sympathy.
Go vegan and NOBODY gets hurt.
Poor Dolphin….
yeah…….poor dolphin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ):
This men is a wildlife trafficant, is processed penally on my country Uruguay, you can see the documents on this link; http://www.facebook.com/?tid=1521254305455&sk=messages#!/photo.php?fbid=121693511213033&set=a.121693507879700.10006.100001171537169&pid=113870&id=100001171537169
He is selling from sea lions to penguins!
Please don´t give this men this kind of publicity. Is a criminal!
Thanks in advance!
how can the DIRECTOR of a wild life rescue facility traffic animals… explain this to me please. and what makes you think that unsupported allegations on face book make the statement true.
Hi Janine
if this is true please provide us with accurate information (the facebook link doesn’t work) about him and his crimes. YOu are making serious allegations – we will follow up to get to the truth. Please post facts if you have them.
So sweet
http://www.BirdMad.com
Que bello bebe, ojala se recupere y cresca sano y fuerte para que vuelva al mar donde muy seguramente encontrara amigos delfines con quienes nadará por todos los mares. Larga vida Nipper you are so cute.
glad there are still amazing people out there!!!!!
Dolphins are in very poor health due to all the pathetic people STILL fishing! I gotta agree with Rathbone, the poor fishermen can eat vegetables.
Veggies are always good for you. Think about that.