Canal d’Amour: Dolphin that washed up in shallows did not survive
CORFU. Immediate response from the North Corfu Municipality, ODEK and “ARION” – The cause of death will be investigated by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.
The rescue operation for a dolphin discovered in the shallows off Apotrypiti Beach at Canal d’Amour in Sidari lasted approximately three hours on Tuesday afternoon, 8 September.
The exhausted mammal was spotted by swimmers, who immediately alerted the Municipality of North Corfu. The response was swift: Deputy Mayor for the Circular Economy and Environment Spyridoula Kokkali, Deputy Mayor Theofanis Skembris and volunteer Gerasimos Mouzakitis rushed to the scene. All three are trained and certified members of the Corfu Cetacean Stranding Management Group (ODEK).
The dolphin was unable to maintain its normal position in the water. Members of ODEK stayed with it in the sea, continuously keeping it on the surface, while also remaining in constant communication with the ARION Research Centre for the Rescue and Care of Cetaceans and veterinarian Anastasia Koronaki (a veterinarian with the ARION Veterinarians Network and lead veterinarian of ODEK Corfu). Operational coordination of the rescue effort was handled by Elena Akritopoulou from ARION, who provided guidance on how to manage the incident.
Unfortunately, despite three hours of heroic efforts, the animal’s condition deteriorated rapidly. The veterinarian did not have time to administer any medication, as the dolphin died in the arms of those who were fighting to keep it alive.
Its loss has caused deep sadness among everyone involved in the operation. However, the incident highlighted the enormous importance of training and a coordinated response when marine mammals are in distress.
The swift intervention by members of ODEK Corfu — which is part of the Ionian ODEK Network — demonstrated in practice the value of specialised training. The group, which consists of 36 volunteers able to respond across the entire island, was established in May 2025 in Kouloura as part of the Marine Mammal Strandings Responders: The Ionian Sea Network (MMSR) programme, a collaboration between ARION and the Ionian Environment Foundation (IEF), under the auspices of the Municipality of North Corfu.
Post-mortem examination at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Veterinary Medicine
The dead dolphin will be transported to the School of Veterinary Medicine at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where a post-mortem examination and laboratory tests will be carried out in order to scientifically determine the exact cause of death. Until the examinations are completed, no reliable assessment can be made.
Those who assisted in the operation:
The ARION organisation, Elena Akritopoulou and veterinarian Anastasia Koronaki.
The National Cetacean Stranding Management Coordinator (Ministry of Environment and Energy), the Ionian Environment Foundation (IEF) and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki School of Veterinary Medicine.
Members of ODEK, volunteer Gerasimos Mouzakitis and former Peroulades President Vassilis Agiovlasitis.
The swimmers who responded to the situation and alerted the authorities in good time, as well as the members of the public who assisted at the scene.
“This effort did not have the outcome we had all hoped for. But it demonstrated that there are people who will not simply walk past an animal that is suffering, and a trained network ready to do everything possible to help.”
Photos: Dimitra Kokkali
ELENI KORONAKI
