Recently, the Aruba Marine Mammal Foundation (AMMF) received alert calls for help with a distressing incident at the popular Eagle Beach. A young adult dolphin was stranded in the surf of the beach after it became separated from its small group of three while seeking refuge inshore, due to the commotion of being chased and encircled by jet skiers.
Dolphin rescue and release
Four compassionate beachgoers provided support to the stranded dolphin in the beach surf, until the Aruba Stranding Network (ASN) responders arrived and took over the care of the dolphin. It was a Pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata ) with a length of about 1.7m. (Figure 2). It had mild fresh and old scars, was in good condition, active, and alert. It showed signs of exhaustion. ASN responders, Natasha Silva, Anita Nijhuis, and Angiolina Henriquez, assessed and assisted the dolphin in the water, while Yessy Arends collected information from bystanders and helped to keep the crowd at a distance. After a recovery period the distressed dolphin calmed down, gained strength, and after several gentle trials it was successfully released before sunset, beyond the surf in waist deep waters. It swam to the open sea on its own ability.
Scars and lesions
Preliminary findings suggest that some of the fresh abrasions on the dolphin’s body are likely due to the stranding process, while some of the rake marks appear to have been inflicted by conspecifics. The old and healed multiple parallel lacerations on the dolphin’s dorsum may have been caused by vessel collision (propeller), entanglement, or by the teeth of Pseudorcas (false killer whales) or Orcas (killer whales). (Figure 3). Longline fisheries, an illegal practice in Aruba, are also known to cause various injuries to dolphins. Notably, two Venezuelan longliners were apprehended by the Aruba Coast Guard the day before this stranding incident. The initial cause for the group of three dolphins to seek shelter is still undetermined. A comprehensive evaluation of the dolphin’s diverse scars is currently in progress.
Pantropical spotted dolphin ( Stenella attenuata )
This species is identifiable by its bipartite color pattern, with a sharply defined dark gray cape and a peduncle divided into dark upper and light lower halves. An adult averages approximately 210 cm in length, around 100 kg in weight. Calves average 85 cm at birth. The maximum lifespan is 46 years. These relatively small and slender dolphins are acrobatic and are often seen bow-riding by boaters. They travel in large groups of hundreds to thousands, and often associate with other dolphin species. Their diet primarily consists of small epipelagic fishes, squids, and crustaceans. Flying fish are a particularly prevalent prey item.
Dolphin protection
Dolphins need to swim up to the surface to breathe air with their lungs and traditionally seek refuge in Aruba’s leeward shallow waters when weakened or vulnerable, such as during injury or calving. Marine mammals require ample space and undisturbed conditions to rest and recuperate. AMMF urges the public to refrain from harassing dolphins, for example by approaching and chasing them, and to respect their need for space and prevent any disturbance. The actions of seafarers directly impact the well-being of marine mammals.
Under Aruba law, all dolphin and whale species are classified as endangered and protected, with intentional killing, capture, harm, or disturbance prohibited under the National Decree on Protection of Indigenous Flora and Fauna (AB 2017.48, Art. 1.b.3) and the Nature Ordinance (AB 1995, No. 2, Art. 4.1, 5, 6, 7). All dolphins and whales are also protected by the SPAW Protocol of the Cartagena Convention, a regional agreement for the protection and sustainable use of coastal and marine biodiversity in the Wider Caribbean Region.
AMMF ’s priority is to ensure the well-being of the dolphins and to work towards educating Aruba’s beachgoers and seafarers to increase their comprehension of the marine mammal encounter safety code of conduct. An educational program has been developed and will be offered to seafarers and coastal communities in the near future.
How to help a stranded dolphin
What not to do: If you encounter a live stranded dolphin, do not pull or drag it by its tail or pectoral fins, as this can inflict severe injuries. Never attempt to rescue and transport it back to deeper waters on your own. Such actions, undertaken without proper assessment and expertise, can have detrimental consequences for the dolphin’s well-being. A weak, ill, or injured dolphin may drown. Moreover, forcing a weakened dolphin to repeatedly exert itself to reach its refuge ground could cause further distress and hinder its recovery.
What to do: Promptly call AMMF-ASN for help at 5924333 or via 100 (police). Relay in your call: the location using a landmark (send a pin location via whatsapp, if possible); date and time of your sighting; if dead or alive; the size and number of animals involved; if it is in the water or beached; if there are crowds or harassment issues; your name and contact information; and if you are available to help.
You can assist the dolphin while awaiting the arrival of ASN responders.
Be cautious to safeguard yourself from harm: Keep your face away from the blowhole to prevent exposure to potentially harmful bacteria. Be alert for sudden movements of the mouth and tail. Refrain from touching any cuts, lesions, or bodily fluids on the dolphin’s skin. After handling the dolphin, thoroughly disinfect your hands with 70% alcohol.
Basic first aid care instructions: Ask bystanders to help you. Keep onlookers and pets on a distance and maintain the area quiet. Shield the dolphin from the sun using wet towels to cover its body (avoid the blow hole, fins, and eyes), a tent, umbrella, or forming a human shade barrier.
If on the beach: Two persons, carefully and quietly rotate the dolphin to an upright position with its blowhole facing upwards. Support it with rolled towels. Dig shallow trenches beneath each pectoral fin and fill them with seawater (never pulling on the fins). Gently pour seawater over the dolphin’s skin, avoiding the blowhole, by cupping your hand around it to prevent water from entering.
If in the surf: Four persons, two on each side, silently and gently cradle the dolphin with the hands positioned below its belly. Carry it slowly and steadily beyond the surf zone to waist- deep calm waters. Support the dolphin’s buoyancy, keeping it upright with its blowhole above the water, and facing an unobstructed path to open sea.
When the ASN responders arrive: They will collect information and assess the situation, determine the appropriate course of action, and take over the care of the dolphin.
Stranding causes
The Stenella attenuata, is the second most common of the six known dolphin species that seek refuge in Aruba’s leeward shallow inshore waters when weakened and vulnerable, such as during exhaustion, injury, illness, or giving birth. Typically, the dolphins depart for the open sea around sunset. Recovery periods can last for a few hours, a few days in the same area, or weeks, with occasional changes in location. Sadly, some dolphins become stranded on the beach.
Aruba is home to 21 confirmed cetacean species, of which 15 have a documented history of stranding. Cetaceans may strand alive or dead (Figure 4 and 5). Alive strandings occur either accidentally or intentionally. Healthy cetaceans may beach themselves unintentionally due to disorientation caused by coastal topography, such as sloping soft sediment-based shores or magnetic anomalies, while pursuing prey or evading threats (such as predators or loud noises), or as a result of tidal changes. A cetacean may also intentionally strand alive due to weakness caused by medical distress. This can result from various factors, including injuries, diseases, or exhaustion. Human harassment, vessel collisions, propeller strikes, entanglements in fishing gear, loud underwater noise (such as the airgun of seismic surveys and military exercises), pollution exposure, predator pursuit, natural toxins (such as the red tide, Karenia brevis), and extreme weather events can all contribute to a cetacean’s weakened state and lead to stranding.
Acknowledgement
AMMF and the ASN responders extends their heartfelt gratitude to all who have swiftly and caringly contributed with the successful alert for help, rescue, release, information and documentation of this dolphin stranding incident, with a special mention to Sietske van der Wal, Dylan Molina, Erik Nijhuis, Nicole Danser, Jana SP, Jerry Jones, the Beach Police, and the 4 compassionate helping tourists.
About AMMF and ASN
The Aruba Marine Mammal Foundation (AMMF) has been the stranding coordinator since 1998 and was legally established in 2002. In addition to AMMF volunteers, the Aruba Stranding Network (ASN) also comprises governmental and NGO stakeholders. The main objectives of the stranding response are to provide rapid and effective action for the wellbeing of the cetacean, to protect the public while handling the response, and to gain maximum scientific information. The ASN is supported with expertise by regional and international stranding organizations and networks, including having received training by the Caribbean Stranding Network and recently by the SPAW RAC CAMAC Project with the Stranding Expert Panel of the IWC. When encountering a sheltering or stranded dolphin, please contact the ASN responders at 5924333 (AMMF) or 100 (police). For more information please contact AMMFinfo@gmail.com.
