Rescue crews save life of cute porpoise cut off by tide at Carnforth

The harbour porpoise became marooned close to Warton Stock Car race track on Saturday evening.

Morecambe RNLI volunteers joined Bay Search and Rescue and Arnside and South Lakes Coastguard Rescue Team in helping to free the porpoise, along with specialist marine mammal medics from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR).

Marine biologist Sarah Neill, BDMLR's Cumbria co-ordinator, said: "Thankfully British Divers Marine Life Rescue were called, and we went out and assessed the porpoise.

"She was in good body condition and had no visible injuries. Looks like she just got caught out on the tide.

"We managed to transport her out to sea on a hovercraft from Morecambe RNLI.

"In the sea we restored her equilibrium and she swam off strongly, which was amazing to witness.

"Arnside Coastguard and Bay Search and Rescue also assisted me and my BDMLR medics and it was a successful rescue."

Sarah added on Facebook:”Many thanks to Morecambe Lifeboat for their assistance as well as Bay Search & Rescue, Arnside & South Lakes Coastguard Rescue Team and marine mammal medics Adam Hanlon and Jessica Marshall! Top job!”

Harbour porpoises can be spotted close to shore in shallow water, either alone or in small groups.

They inhabit cold temperate to sub-polar waters of the northern hemisphere, usually in continental shelf waters, including parts of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Arctic Sea, Black Sea and Baltic Sea.

If anyone finds a live stranded marine mammal they should call British Divers Marine Life Rescue on 01825 765546.