Dolphin swimming in Ipswich river freed by fire crews and divers

Marine experts and firefighters have together helped to free a tangled dolphin spotted out of its depth in a Suffolk river.

The marine mammal, which had become trapped in netting, was filmed swimming in the River Orwell in Ipswich as crowds gathered to catch a glimpse.

Andy Hollis filmed the dolphin swimming, describing it as "quite a spectacle", but said he was worried about it "getting injured".

The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), which attended, warned people to keep their distance, adding: "This is a critical period of recovery for the animal and it needs time and space to do so without any additional stress or distraction."

The BDMLR said it was "distressingly spotted" with green netting "wrapped around its beak and pectoral fins".

"Despite the entanglement," the service added, "the dolphin was able to breathe and swim strongly, moving up and down the river and actively avoiding vessels nearby."

Initially, the animal was spotted swimming in circles and travelling some distance upriver.

The BDMLR said it was "a behaviour occasionally seen in some species of dolphin and harbour porpoises following food sources, so is not always a cause for concern".

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service deployed a crew on a boat, which marine mammal medics used to cut the dolphin free, before assessing its condition.

It had sustained minor wounds, the BDLMR said.

Volunteers would continue to monitor the dolphin, the spokesperson added, and "we remain hopeful that it will find its way back to sea".

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