KOTA KINABALU: A Spinner dolphin, one of the smallest species of dolphins, which beached in Tuaran on Wednesday is now being nursed at the Borneo Marine Research Institute of Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS).
In announcing this, director of UMS’ Borneo Marine Research Institute Prof Dr Saleem Mustafa said the institute was informed about the beaching of the Spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) in Tuaran at about noon on Wednesday.
He said his staff reached there and joined the efforts of other government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in rescuing the animal.
“The dolphin measures more than two metres and weighs around 70kg. It is an adult and mature specimen which could be at least seven years of age. It has a narrow body and long beak.
“Spinner dolphins primarily consume food at night. Their food comprises fish and squids. Spinner dolphins rest during daylight hours. This specimen is a bit restless for the ordeal of stranding it has undergone and, possibly, other problems which we cannot diagnose by external observation.
“I could not see it sleeping. Dolphins do not sleep like humans. They will drown and die of suffocation if they sleep like us. They remain conscious.
“A healthy dolphin rests by floating at the surface, with one eye open. After some time, it closes this eye and opens the other one. I have not seen this alternative eye opening and closing activity. Obviously, the dolphin is not in a good condition and is restless,” he said in a statement, here yesterday.
Saleem said the dolphin showed behavioural signs of stress, and it was not known if the dolphin belonged to the resident population in Sabah or had migrated from another area. — Bernama