The RSPCA is warning people not to put beached dolphins back in the sea after two died in the space of days.

Officers say ‘well-meaning’ beach walkers in west Wales were trying to help the animals, but were doing the ‘wrong thing’ for them and their ‘welfare’.

A striped dolphin was found in trouble on Coppet Hall beach in Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, a few weeks back.

This dolphin died after people tried to refloat it in the sea (Picture: RSPCA)

The RSPCA is warning people to call them immediately if they find a dolphin in trouble (Picture: RSPCA)

Some people tried to refloat the unwell and emaciated animal, but unfortunately, it later died.


An RSPCA officer inspected photos of the dolphin and said they could ‘clearly see’ the dolphin was suffering and should not have been returned to the wild in that way.



In a separate incident, a washed-up skinny dolphin was found on Newgale beach in Pembrokeshire just two days later.

The RSPCA arrived to find the animal dead and its body in a very poor condition.

The dead dolphin was in a terrible condition (Picture: RSPCA)

It had suffered a brutal death (Picture: RSPCA)

Its body had already began discolouring (Picture: RSPCA)

Just like before, some well-meaning beach walkers tried several times to return the dolphin to the water.

RSPCA Wales said dolphins tend to beach for a reason.

It is often because they are dying or have major welfare complications.

Officers are now urging anyone who finds a beached dolphin this summer to not attempt to refloat it, but call the RSPCA immediately.

The RSPCA had to remove the body from the beach in case it spread any diseases (Picture: RSPCA)

RSPCA officer Ellie West said: ‘In many ways, it is a source of great pride that people across west Wales love wild animals and want to help.

‘But returning a beached aquatic mammals to the sea can be hugely counter-productive.

‘People are obviously well-meaning in doing this, but usually it is the wrong thing to do for the animals, and their welfare.’

The RSPCA is also warning about the health risks of handling creatures like the dolphins found at Saundersfoot and Newgale.

Post-mortems of sea animals, including whales, dolphins, porpoises, turtles and basking sharks, has found there is a substantial risk of contracting diseases if you handle them when they are beached.