Stranded Dolphin Washes Ashore in Tel Aviv as Experts Issue Urgent Warning
A striped dolphin washed ashore at a Tel Aviv beach, prompting wildlife authorities to warn citizens against returning injured marine mammals to the sea without professional care.
A striped dolphin washed ashore this morning at Jerusalem Beach in Tel Aviv, drawing immediate attention from beachgoers and lifeguards who initially pushed the animal back into the sea. However, experts warn that returning a stranded marine mammal to the water can actually put its life in serious danger if it is sick or injured.
Following the incident, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority issued an urgent public advisory explicitly asking citizens not to return stranded dolphins to the sea. Officials explained that animals washing ashore are frequently in critical need of professional medical intervention, and forcing them back into deep water increases the risk of drowning.
Expert Guidelines and Dolphin Rescue
Researchers from the Delphis Association and the University of Haifa identified the stranded animal as a striped dolphin, a relatively small deep-water species that typically travels in large pods. While it is the most common dolphin species in the Mediterranean Sea, it also holds the unfortunate record for the highest number of live strandings along Israel's coastline.
Experts stress that there is a high probability the animal may beach itself again, prompting the release of clear safety protocols for anyone encountering a stranded dolphin:
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Do not return to the water: Forcing a weakened or injured dolphin back into the sea poses a fatal drowning risk.
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Immediate reporting: Contact the Nature and Parks Authority hotline at *3639 or the Delphis Association immediately.
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Maintain quiet and reduce stress: Keep onlookers and dogs away to prevent fatal panic and stress; do not touch or pet the animal.
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Protect the blowhole: Ensure the blowhole on top of the head remains completely clear of sand and water.
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Keep the animal moist: Gently pour seawater over the body or cover it with seawater-soaked towels, avoiding the fins, tail, and blowhole.
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Proper positioning and supervision: Keep the animal upright on its belly rather than its side, never pull it by the tail or fins, and stay by its side until professionals arrive.
