The training course with successfully refloated whale

On a February morning a two tonne inflated plastic whale was stranded at the west end of Stanley Harbour as part of a course run by Falklands Conservation in how to respond to stranded whales and dolphins. Luckily for the neoprene trainees only one pilot whale and a couple of “human” dolphins were the focus of the re-floating attempts. The rescuers learnt how to provide basic care and assess the condition of the stranded animals, an important aspect when assessing the likelihood of survival and a successful refloat. Using a specially designed pontoon system the replica beached whale was refloated from the shallows and out into deeper waters in less than 20 minutes.

The extensive coastline of the Falklands is a haven and feeding ground for twenty five different whales and dolphins. Sarah Crofts, the course organiser said that “Some species and individuals are more susceptible to stranding than others. Oceanic species may not be familiar with the coastline or tidal patterns and can find themselves trapped or caught in shallow bays and harbours. Some animals strand because they are ill, diseased or old and others can strand in large groups that have tight cohesive pods such as the pilot whales. In all stranding incidents there are many factors to take into consideration including the length of time the animal has been stranded, its size and weight. The longer the beached period and larger the whale, the smaller are its chances of survival. Saving smaller whales is more hopeful, and so our training is designed to respond to this type of incident. Several species of dolphins, orcas, and pilot whales have been recorded stranded in the Falklands, and having local people trained to prevent even one or two cetacean deaths due to stranding has to be worth it.”

This course was based on training in 2002 given in the Falklands by the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, a group that responds to all beached whale incidents around the British coastline.