Marine life rescue medics have been left heartbroken after a porpoise was euthanised following a dramatic five-hour rescue mission.
Non-profit organisation British Divers Marine Life Rescue was called to Epple Bay in Birchington after the mammal was repeatedly spotted stranding among rocks on the beach.
The coastguard assisted the charity’s volunteers to safely access the area on Sunday amid the perilous operation.
Footage captured at the scene shows the dangerous conditions the crew was working under in a bid to help the harbour porpoise.
“After rescuing it from the waves crashing it against the sea wall, several hours were spent administering first aid and keeping it comfortable,” a post of the charity’s Facebook page said.
The mammal was confirmed to be a male harbour porpoise once the crew reached the shore.
“He was visibly emaciated, indicating a prolonged period without feeding, and had a number of injuries.
“A full veterinary-led examination found that his low body weight, injuries and clinical signs indicated an underlying illness with a poor prognosis.”
Sadly, the “difficult but most humane decision was made” to euthanise the porpoise to “stop the ongoing suffering”.
Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme will conduct a post-mortem examination to help establish why the mammal was in such a poor condition.
“We are grateful to the members of the public and to the Thanet coastguard team who supported our medics during the response,” the charity added.
“While some rescues don’t lead to release, each response provides stranded cetaceans with compassionate and professional care.”
