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CroatiaFirst aid for the Adriatic dolphins - what sailors can do

Morten Strauch

 · 17.08.2023

Loved and endangered: an Adriatic dolphin off the coast of Croatia
Photo: Koeller/GRD
The dolphins in Croatian coastal waters are highly endangered, as the small population now consists of less than 300 animals. If sick or stranded dolphins are found on the Adriatic coast, help is needed quickly to save the animals

An overview of the most important emergency numbers in Croatia as well as basic instructions for action can be found in a new first aid guide from the Society for the Rescue of Dolphins (GRD). It also explains how eyewitnesses of hunting scenes involving the various tourist excursion boats should react to the marine mammals.

Have you seen or found a sick/stranded dolphin?

  • Report the find to the local police immediately or call 112 (general number of the control centre of Croatian organisations such as the police, fire brigade or rescue service).
  • Enter the location as accurately as possible (preferably with coordinates)
  • Do not touch the dolphin! Sick animals can also bite hard; there is also a risk of transmitting pathogens. Keep your own animals (e.g. dogs) away from the injured animal.
  • Cover the animal with wet sheets or towels (including seaweed) or keep it moist by pouring sea water over it. Important: Marine mammals use the blowhole on their head to catch their breath. Under no circumstances should water or sand get in there.

Have you found a dead dolphin?

  • Report the find to the local police immediately or call 112 (general number of the control centre of Croatian organisations such as the police, fire brigade or rescue service).
  • Avoid contact and keep your own animals (e.g. dogs) away from the carcass.

Have you seen dolphins being chased by excursion boats, yachts, jet skis or zodiacs?

  • Report your observations immediately to the local police or call 112 (general number of the control centre of Croatian organisations such as the police, fire brigade or rescue service).
  • If possible, take photos and videos to document the misbehaviour for the police. Filming or photographing the boat's licence plate is also very important.
  • Also send the pictures and videos to the Institute for Environmental Protection and Nature (pisarnica@haop.hr ).

Every single dolphin counts - which is why the Gesellschaft zur Rettung der Delphine e. V. (GRD) together with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Zagreb and the Croatian marine conservation organisation VAL (Wave), has been campaigning vehemently for the protection and rescue of the last remaining Adriatic dolphins for over 20 years.

More articles on the subject of the environment:

Morten Strauch

Morten Strauch

Editor News & Panorama

Morten Strauch was born in Schleswig in 1977, but grew up mainly in Lüneburg. He joined the Boy Scouts so that he could take part in a youth sailing camp in the Stockholm archipelago. After an internship at BOOTE magazine, he dropped out of his communications design studies, followed by 13 years as a freelance photographer and author for BOOTE, BOOTE Exclusiv and YACHT. In 2019, he was hired by Hanseyachts to serve as press spokesman and marketing manager. Consequently, the long-awaited first boat becomes a Hanse 291. Three and a half years later, he returns to Delius Klasing, this time as an editor for YACHT in the Panorama department. When not (also) privately on the water, Morten can be found scuba diving or collecting fossils on the coast.

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