A weak or ill leader delivering his subjects to peril is seemingly a fate not only confined to the human race. Informanté attended a highy informative session of the dolphin rescue organisation, Walvis Bay & Swakopmund Strandings Networks (WSSN), this week and learnt that mass strandings of dolphins is often the result of a leader of the pod falling ill and when it strands the pod follows it to destruction.

WSSN held a live demonstration at the Swakopmund Mole on Tuesday where its members simulated a dolphin stranding and gave the public an insight into what actually happens during rescue missions to save dolphins and how to refloat them in the ocean. The live demonstration forms part of the coastal bio-diversity week which kicks off next Monday on 4 June and aims to increase awareness of dolphin rescues.
WSSN members are trained by the Namibian Dolphin Project, which has been engaged in an extensive study programme of rescuing whales and dolphins along the Namibian coast since 2008. With the assistance of the Namibian Dolphin Project, WSSN grew from humble beginnings to two rescue networks in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay today, with volunteers and rescue kits that are ready to be deployed in the event of a stranding.
At the live stranding demonstration an inflatable dolphin pool toy was used as a dummy. Under the guidance of Ruth Leeney the area around the stranding was secured to allow for minimal human movement around the mammal which could increase its stress levels. The dolphin’s body was covered with a wet towel and watered down to cool it, keep its body moist and protect it against sun-burn. The dolphin’s blow-hole was kept covered throughout as the animal breathes through it and no water should be poured down it. A rescue blanket was then moved under the dolphin without hurting its fins and the “mammal” was soon returned to the ocean where it belongs.
A few tips for the public in the event of spotting a stranding: do not make loud noises or any unnecessary movements. Don’t allow crowds or large groups of people near the stranded mammal. Try to restrict any movement close to the stranded mammal to two or three people. The rest of the people should stay at least fifteen meters away. Keep the animal wet by pouring water over its body, but not into or over its blow-hole. A whale has got two blow-holes and a dolphin only one. Try and cover the mammal’s body with a cloth or towel and keep it soaked. Make sure to write down the numbers below on the back of your angling license.
These contact numbers can be used by anyone who detects a stranded dolphin and the public can get information on how to keep the stranded mammals safe until assistance arrives. The strandings networks’ numbers are: Swakopmund – 081 602 1355 or 085 600 9688. Walvis Bay – 081 809 8214, 081 148 7120 or 081 149 7377.