Three young dolphins splash around in the Old Port of La Rochelle. Seen on Tuesday June 25, they were first escorted out to sea before returning to the trawlers’ basin. They are currently trapped by the locks, but are in good health. Several plans are being studied to allow them to return to their natural habitat.
At the edge of the trawlers’ basin, in the Old Port of La Rochelle, passers-by gather to observe the three young dolphins. Arriving on Tuesday June 25 at the end of the day, they left the port for the first time, guided by the lock keepers, before returning and finding themselves trapped by the locks.
“It’s not uncommon.”says Olivier Vancanneyt, coordinator of observation systems at the Pelagis Observatory. “It’s even more and more common, the animals tend to come closer to the coast, certainly in search of food.”
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Three specimens got lost in the port of La Rochelle (June 2024).
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©Rafael Garcin
On Tuesday, attempts to push them back into the ocean were unsuccessful, and were interrupted so as not to stress the three dolphins.
The small cetaceans are in good health and rather independent despite their young age. They can stay in this environment for several days. “They are in a large fish pool which is relatively calm because there is not too much navigation”smiles Olivier Vancanneyt.
The locks open twice a day depending on the tides, which restricts exit opportunities for dolphins.
The port management, the Pelagis Observatory, the La Rochelle Aquarium and several associations are studying several plans to guide them out of the port if they do not succeed on their own.
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New attempts at guidance with a light boat are planned, but also a slightly more elaborate device, notably used in Alsaka to evacuate orcas stuck in bays. A horizontal rope, on which weighted vertical ropes would be suspended, could be stretched across the width of the port in order to repel the dolphins like a net, without risking injury to them.
This dolphin plays near the Shtandart, a replica of an 18th century Russian frigate, in the old port of La Rochelle.
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© Rafael Garcin
Until then, the people of Rochelle and tourists who flock to observe and photograph the dolphins have been respectful.
Pending their release, the port and the Pelagis Observatory ask them not to disturb them or feed them. In addition, under no circumstances should you dive or use a boat, such as a kayak or paddle, to approach it.
One of the three dolphins found in the port of La Rochelle (June 2024).
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© Rafael Garcin
