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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Took four hours to rescue dolphins in Dhofar: EA

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The Directorate-General of Environment Authority (EA) in Dhofar Governorate said the recent rescue of dolphins took around four hours.


Eight stranded Risso's dolphins washed off on the coast of Hasik; of these, seven were rescued, while one of them died.


The samples of Risso's dolphins were taken for laboratory tests and analysis.


A specialist at EA said that these dolphins did not have any wounds from nets on them.


"The local citizens and fishermen made unsuccessful attempts to return the dolphins to the waters. Subsequently, specialists who went to the site succeeded in rescuing seven dolphins but could not save the eighth dolphin because of the wounds due to friction with the rocks. It took about four hours to work to return the dolphins to the sea."


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The samples, such as tissues and teeth, were taken and transferred to the directorate's laboratory for study and analysis.


The causes of dolphin deaths can usually be due to the green and red tide or fishing nets, but there are indications that it is due to boat engines, or lack of food, the specialist said.


Risso's dolphins, sometimes called grey dolphins, are found in the temperate and tropical zones of all the world's oceans.


These cetaceans generally prefer deeper offshore waters, especially near the continental shelf edge and slope, where they can dive to at least 1,000 feet and hold their breath for 30 minutes. They are also very active on the ocean surface.


Risso's dolphins are typically found in groups of between 10 and 30 animals, though they have been reported as solitary individuals, in pairs, or in loose aggregations in the hundreds or thousands.


@vinot_nair


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