Dolphin rescuers take cues from whale stranding to move mother and calf to clear water

Tasmanian rescuers have used a "buddy system" to help save two dolphins stranded at Eaglehawk Neck in the state's south-east. 

Key points:

A large adult female bottlenose dolphin and her calf were stranded on the beach at Pirates Bay  They were rescued using a technique developed during Australia's worst whale stranding last year The calf was placed on a whale mattress on a boat and the mother on a mat alongside

The Marine Conservation Program was alerted on Monday morning to a large adult female bottlenose dolphin and her calf stranded on the beach at Pirates Bay. 

Marine biologist Sam Thalmann said it appeared the dolphins became stranded when the high tide receded while they were foraging for food.

"I would say they had been stranded on the shore for about six to seven hours before the rescue teams arrived and were able to stabilise the animals, provide some more protection from the environment, keep their skin wet and in good condition," he said.

"Because of the conditions overnight, the dolphins were in excellent body health and so they were strong and they were showing great communication between the calf and the cow, meaning that they were in a strong position for a quick release back into the bay."

The adult dolphin was kept in a harness alongside the rescue boat while her calf was transported onboard.(

Supplied: Marine Conservation Program/DPIPWE

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About seven rescuers worked to stabilise the dolphins by bringing them into the water so they could regain their orientation.

Mr Thalmann said the first release attempt failed, with the adult cow seemingly unable to navigate her way out and wanting to come back to shore.

"It's a bit like when a person falls asleep on the couch and their arm goes numb, you can't really use it and you're a little bit confused about how to manoeuvre that," he said. 

"It's a bit like that with the dolphins when they've been ashore. They need a bit of time to work things out and regain their orientation." 

The buddy system was developed during the 2020 mass whale stranding.(

Supplied: Marine Conservation Program/DPIPWE

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Lessons learned from mass whale stranding

After the failed attempt, the rescuers used a technique developed during their response to Australia's largest-ever whale stranding last year.

About 460 pilot whales beached themselves at Macquarie Harbour on Tasmania's west coast during that incident, with a week-long rescue effort eventually saving 111. 

In response to this new incident, the dolphins were moved to deeper water and rescuers placed the calf on a whale mattress on the boat while the adult dolphin was supported on a whale mat alongside the vessel. 

Mr Thalmann said the dolphins were well supported and could still breathe properly as they slowly moved them out into deeper water. 

Hundreds of pilot whales died after a mass stranding around Tasmania's west coast last year.(

Supplied: The Mercury

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"It is a bit of a buddy system," Mr Thalmann said. "It's a way of being able to support the animal and transport them so that they have a much better chance of finding clear, open water and heading out where they can swim more freely." 

"The fact that we were able to transport them together does seem to suit the animals and, being in close proximity, particularly with a cow and a calf, it's essential that we maintain them in that pod structure because they're much more relaxed."

"Since the last stranding, we have learnt that perhaps we can transport these animals in a careful way, alongside vessels without damaging them, without compromising their health, their breathing, and put them into a much better position to recover." 

After using the "buddy system", rescuers watched as the dolphins swam strongly out of the bay and into deeper water. 

Members of the public are encouraged to report sightings or strandings of whales and dolphins in Tasmania to the Whale Hotline. 

(Originally posted by McLennan)