A Risso’s dolphin washed ashore in the village of Mosteiros on the island of São Miguel on Sunday afternoon. Promptly, the joint efforts of the technical and human resources of the entities involved in the rescue operation, particularly of the Maritime Police, the biologists form the University of the Azores, members of SPENA (environmental police) and GNR (republican national guard) as well as of the Nature Watchers of the São Miguel Island Natural Park, have made possible the return of the dolphin that had been stranded near the natural pools to the sea after a couple hours, apparently unharmed.  These efforts were undertaken in order to save the animal while ashore by protecting it from the sun and keeping the skin hydrated.
For the Regional Director for Maritime Affairs, Frederico Cardigos, “this event demonstrated that the Network for Washed up Cetaceans of the Azores is working. Although Sunday is a day of rest, a great effort was put into recuing this dolphin and it was clear that, after all, we can make the difference.”
According to José Azevedo from the University of the Azores, “only in the next few days we will be able to know if the animal was saved. As the reasons why this specimen washed ashore are not known, we do not know if it was accidental or something that will intensify. We did everything we could and, with some luck, we have saved a dolphin.”
The specimen belongs to the Grampus griseus species also known as “grampus,” “Risso’s dolphin” or “boto” as it designated on the south of São Miguel Island. Despite the existence of a large population worldwide, Risso’s dolphins are only spotted around oceanic islands. These animals feed on small fish and squid and as they age, the greyish skin tone undergoes a depigmentation process, gradually becoming whitish. In addition, this species is a relevant economic resource for the whale watch activity on the island of Pico.