Every now and then, someone walking the beach or cruising the estuary comes across a sight that stops them in their tracks ... a dolphin in trouble. Maybe it’s stranded in shallow water, stuck on a sandbar, or showing signs of injury. It’s a moment that hits hard, and the instinct to rush in and help is strong. But with wild dolphins, the safest and most effective help comes from knowing exactly what to do, and what not to do.

Stay Calm and Keep Your Distance

When a dolphin is distressed, the first and most important step is to stay calm. Sudden movement, splashing, or crowding can make the situation worse. Keeping a respectful distance helps reduce stress on the animal and gives trained responders room to work when they arrive.

Keep People & Dogs Back

Curious onlookers can unintentionally create pressure around a stranded dolphin. A wildlife carer’s first job is often crowd control, gently asking people to step back, keeping dogs on leads & making sure no one tries to enter the water. Space is safety and every extra metre helps the dolphin stay calm.

Do Not Push the Dolphin Back

This is the big one. Even though it feels like the right thing to do, pushing a stranded dolphin back into the water can cause serious harm. The animal may be sick, injured, exhausted or disoriented. Forcing it back can lead to drowning, further injury or repeated strandings.

Only trained responders, with veterinary support if needed, can decide whether a dolphin is fit to be refloated.

Protect the Blowhole

A dolphin breathes through its blowhole and keeping that area clear is absolutely critical. Members of the public should never cover it, pour water over it, or place objects near it. If the tide is rising, carers may position themselves to block waves, but always without touching the animal.

Shade Without Touching

If the sun is strong and it’s safe to do so, standing nearby to cast shade can help keep the dolphin cool. No towels, no buckets of water, no touching, just a calm human presence creating a bit of relief from the heat.

Call the Experts Immediately

The most powerful action anyone can take is to call the local wildlife rescue hotline or Parks and Wildlife Service straight away. Give clear details about:

• the exact location
• the dolphin’s condition
• tide and water depth
• any visible injuries
• whether the animal is alone or with others

Responders will mobilise trained carers, boats, vets and equipment. These teams know how to assess the dolphin’s health, stabilise it & decide whether rescue, rehabilitation or humane intervention is needed.

Why Professional Help Matters

Dolphins are powerful, sensitive animals with complex needs. A stranded dolphin might be dealing with illness, entanglement, shark wounds or internal injuries that aren’t visible from the surface. Wildlife carers are trained to recognise these signs & act safely for both the dolphin and the public.

Their goal is always the same: give the dolphin the best possible chance of survival without causing further stress or harm.

How the Community Can Help

Every person who keeps their distance, stays calm and calls for help becomes part of the rescue effort. Wild dolphins face plenty of challenges, busy waterways, fishing gear, pollution & natural hazards, so community awareness makes a huge difference.

With the right actions at the right time, a stranded dolphin has a far better chance of survival. And crikey, what an incredible feeling it is to know you helped protect one of the ocean’s true legends.