A Pacific white-sided dolphin named Pickles has sadly died, despite the efforts of expert rescuers to save the marine mammal.
On Tuesday morning, Vancouver Aquarium Marine Mammal Rescue Society received a report of a dolphin swimming in circles in the shallow water near Maplewood Flats in North Vancouver.
While teams from VAMMR and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) rushed to the location, the male dolphin became stranded, according to a statement from the rescue society.
“The teams supported the animal in the shallow water while in constant communication with VAMMR head veterinarian and executive director, Dr. Martin Haulena,” the statement reads. “The dolphin had wounds consistent with an encounter with killer whales, which had been sighted in the area around the same time.”
Bystanders also stepped in to help get the injured animal out of the water. Rob Lyske, who was on his usual morning walk in the area, was one of them.
"We got the sling underneath really carefully," he said. "And then decided the best thing to do is just to get to slightly deeper water so it wasn't going to get stuck on the beach."
At that time, Lyske caught a glimpse of the dolphin's injuries. "You could see some marks on the back of the animal," he said.
The effort was also aided by a nearby resident who allowed them to carry the animal across her property.
"She was awesome," Lyske said. "She gathered up all our stuff and took it to her place and moved their car so the [rescuers'] truck could get there ... teamwork."
Then the dolphin was sedated, and careful placed into the truck.
Killer whale attack likely, expert says
A decision was made by DFO to admit the animal to VAMMR for stabilization and emergency care, the rescue society said.
But on Wednesday, the dolphin died.
“Despite comprehensive medical treatment and around-the-clock care from veterinary and volunteer teams, the dolphin passed away,” VAMMR said, adding that a necropsy will be carried out to determine the cause of death.
“While the outcome is not what was hoped for, VAMMR remains committed to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of marine mammals in need,” the rescue society said.
The animal rescue organization noted that Pacific white-sided dolphins are a rare sighting in this region, but are sometimes seen travelling in groups.
The theory that Pickles's deadly wounds were caused by a killer whale is a likely one, said Anna Hall, a marine mammal zoologist with Sea View Marine Sciences.
"Transient killer whales are top predators, and they are one of the most efficient predators in the global oceans," she said "It does sound very much so far like this poor creature did succumb to what were very painful wounds."
Hall added, "This is one of those sobering reminders of how incredibly beautiful but how cruel nature can be."
But the animal couldn't have asked for a better care team to give it every possible chance of survival, she said.
VAMMR is a registered charity based in Vancouver that responds to more than 300 marine mammal emergencies a year, according to the organization.
“Its mission is to provide immediate medical care to injured, sick or orphaned marine mammals, with the goal of successful rehabilitation and release back into the ocean,” VAMMR said.
