The Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) has questioned the value of refloating dolphins after another mass stranding on the Mullet peninsula in north Mayo yesterday.
Belmullet divers, lifeboat volunteers and fire brigade staff joined local people in returning 12 striped dolphins to sea yesterday morning, just four days after a similar effort outside the town when 20 of the same species were shepherded out to deeper water.
However, four striped dolphins have been found dead on the north Mayo coast over the past week, prompting concerns about the health of what may be a large pod of the marine mammals off the northwest coast.
Striped dolphins are rarely seen close to Irish shores, preferring oceanic habitats, and tend to travel in schools of up to 100.
"There is a strong argument that these dolphins should be left to their own devices, or that the authorities might consider euthanasia as a more humane option,"said Padraig Whooley of the IWDG.
The IWDG believes the dolphins may be beaching for a particular reason, such as illness, and refloating may only contribute to the stress of the mammals.
