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Touching scenes as Moville people
try to save porpoise
25.02.14
by Linda McGrory
BRAVE efforts are underway to try and save an
injured baby porpoise that became stranded in stormy
seas in Moville today.
The young mammal, which appears to have suffered an
injury near its tail fin, was discovered along the
shores of Lough Foyle near the town centre about
2.30pm.
Local residents managed to get the three-foot long
creature back to sea but high winds and strong waves
washed it back into the nearby tributary, the
Bredagh river.
Anthony Craig found the porpoise as he walked his
dog near his home at River Row. |
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Moville man Anthony Craig attempts to
carry the injured baby porpoise to safety at Lough
Foyle, Moville on Tuesday afternoon. Hopes were
fading tonight for the creature which subsequently
washed into the nearby tributary, the Bredagh river
and was barely visible in the dark water as night
fell. Photo: Trish Murphy. |
"I was out walking
about half-two when the dog pulled me over towards
the rocks. It seemed to be sniffing something out
and when I went over to look there was a young
porpoise lying there - it seemed in bad shape," said
Mr Craig.
"I ran to the house for a bucket and when we got
back we started to throw buckets of sea water around
him. He came around and got a bit of life about him
then," said Mr Craig.
"We then pushed him out into the sea but the winds
were very high and the waves were too strong and
kept washing him back in. The waves washed him into
the Bredagh river and he has been moving up and down
the river since about half-three today. |
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The stranded baby porpoise languishes
in the Bredagh river. |
Meanwhile, brave local
student Rhea McLaughlin, who is studying to be a
vet, got into the river to try and support the
injured creature.
Mr Craig added: "He is trying to swim in a mixture
of salt water from the Foyle and the river water so
I don't think it is the right environment for him.
He seems to be getting weaker by the minute and he’s
slowing down a good bit. It's sad," added Mr Craig.
As night fell, River Row residents including music
festival organiser Gerry McLaughlin were keeping a
close watch on the creature. Attempts were again
made to guide the mammal out to sea in the darkness
but it was "very weak". As hopes faded for its
survival, residents said they would check the area
at first light. |
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