Gandolf the giant dolphin suffers horrible, agonising death on Anglesey coast
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
Investigations into a giant dolphin found washed up on Anglesey have revealed he met an uncomfortable end. A dog walker came across the animal at Porth Tyn Tywyn, a beach near Rhosneigr, last week.
Distinctive markings on his dorsal fin identified him as a member of the Cardigan Bay population of bottlenose dolphins. He was known to the Sea Watch Foundation as 'Gandalf' – though the Cardigan Bay Marine Wildlife Centre called him 'Dewin'.
Having been checked and screened by the Rhosneigr Coastguard Rescue Team, Gandolf was subsequently assessed by Marine Environmental Monitoring (MEM), the Welsh arm of the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme. This was to discover that the dolphin was not attacked or emaciated but died in mysterious circumstances.
Although dolphins are common enough in in Cardigan Bay, MEM rarely gets to investigate their deaths as, due to their size and weight, they typically sink when they die.
MEM discover Gandolf had been dead just around 24-48 hours. An old adult male, he measured 3.29m in length. Sharing its initial findings online, the organisation said: 'Although not the longest bottlenose dolphin we had investigated, it was one of the heaviest. It weighed 510kg, which when you compare it with others we have investigated, which normally weigh between 350 and 450kg, gives you an indication that he was a big male.'
Initial inspections showed his teeth were worn down, which is common for older dolphins. He also had scars on his body from interactions with other bottlenose dolphins. Otherwise, he had no obvious injuries that might have caused his death. Join the North Wales Live Whatsapp community now
With help from the Sea Watch Foundation, Gandolf was transported to Liverpool University for a post mortem. This revealed he had been a healthy bottlenose dolphin. He had a good blubber layer, indicating he had been feeding well, but there was no sign he'd eaten recently. He had some signs of parasites throughout his body but this is normal for older dolphins.
(Image: MEM)
But MEM said: 'When we investigated the intestines, we found two hard blockages near the anus end. These blockages had caused the intestines to split between the blockages, which is the most likely cause of death in this dolphin. We currently aren't sure what the blockages are, so they have been sent off for further investigation – they looked to be a claylike substance.'
The team at Liverpool University team has sampled the dolphin's organs and the blockages. These will now be sent to partner agencies throughout the UK and Europe for further testing. As well as looking for underlying diseases, these will also test for pollutants and other factors.
The dog walker who was among those to discover the dolphin was left emotional to find he had a name. On social media, other person noted sadly: 'Not a nice way to go. Let's hope his death helps others to survive once the blockage is figured out.'
MEM investigates stranded dolphins, porpoises, whales, seals, marine turtles and sharks to learn about the challenges facing the UK's marine life are facing. Stranded marine animals can be reported to the organisation on 0800 652 0333. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox
Find out what's happening near you
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
Gut bacteria changes could be ‘warning sign for worsening Parkinson's symptoms'
Changes in specific bacteria in the mouth and gut of patients with Parkinson's disease could potentially be an early warning sign that symptoms of the condition are getting worse, a study suggests. With the help of artificial intelligence (AI), scientists have linked these shifts to cognitive decline – problems with memory and learning – in people with the disease. They suggest the toxins could one day be used as 'markers' for medics to pinpoint the Parkinson's patients at a higher risk of dementia, as well as being used to help develop targeted treatments for the disease. Parkinson's disease is a progressive condition that affects the brain, with symptoms including involuntary shaking, known as tremors, as well as psychological problems such as depression, loss of balance, trouble sleeping and memory issues. According to the Alzheimer's Society, around a third of people with Parkinson's eventually develop dementia. Dr Saeed Shoaie, group leader of the quantitative systems biology (QTS) lab at King's College London, said: 'The human gut and oral bacterial communities are increasingly linked to neurodegenerative diseases. 'Disruptions in the gut-brain axis could trigger inflammation and immune responses that contribute to neuronal damage. 'A common gum disease bacterium like porphyromonas gingivalis has been discovered as a potential driver of Alzheimer's.' For the study, led by experts at King's College London and published in the journal Gut Microbes, scientists analysed 228 spit and stool samples. The samples came from 41 patients with Parkinson's and mild cognitive impairment, which causes problems with thinking and memory, 47 patients with Parkinson's and dementia and 26 healthy patients. The team found that the gut of people with mild cognitive impairment contained more harmful bacteria, many of which are likely to have come from the mouth. This bacteria releases toxins that can damage gut tissue, promote inflammation and potentially affect the brain, according to researchers. For a more in-depth analysis, the team used AI to pinpoint the bacterial species and functions not usually picked up by traditional testing, allowing them to link toxins specifically to cognitive decline. Dr Shoaie added: 'The emerging evidence underscores the potential importance of maintaining oral and gut health in mitigating or slowing neurodegenerative processes. 'As people with Parkinson's become increasingly reliant on carers, routine practices such as oral hygiene and nutritional intake may be neglected. 'Our findings suggest that promoting a healthy microbiome through consistent oral care, a balanced diet and potentially targeted probiotic interventions could support improved disease management in Parkinson's.' Dr Frederick Clasen, research associate at the QTS lab, said: 'We don't yet know if the bacteria are causing the cognitive decline or if changes in the body due to Parkinson's allow these bacteria to grow. 'But our findings suggest they may play an active role in worsening symptoms.' Dr Clasen suggests these markers could one day be used to develop targeted treatments. 'These toxins could be used as biological markers to identify patients at higher risk of dementia in Parkinson's,' he said. 'In the future, they might also be targets for new treatments that protect the brain by changing the gut environment.'
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Aquarium mocked for launching woke special exhibition on ‘non-binary' fish as part of Pride Month
A TOURIST attraction has been mocked for launching a special exhibition of 'non-binary' fish. Bristol Aquarium says visitors can see species that 'challenge binary classifications' and 'parallels between marine life and the rich spectrum of LGBTQ+ identities '. 2 The exhibition is to highlight ' diversity in all its forms'. Bosses at the popular tourist hotspot explained that guests would be shown fish which have 'sequential hermaphroditism' – the ability to change biological sex naturally. The phenomenon occurs in fish to help endangered species reproduce naturally underwater. They include the wrasse, which can change from female to male, and the clownfish, which typically change from male to female. But Spectator columnist Lionel Shriver wrote: 'We're presumably to conclude . . . that because some fish change sex and hermaphroditic undersea organisms are commonplace, for humans sex is a phantasmagorical multiple choice and we can change sex, too. 'If some fish can change sex . . . [it's] to their Darwinian advantage.' The Sunset Seas event will be held on June 28 and is part of Bristol's Pride Month celebrations. Chloe O'Dell, events and experiences manager at Bristol Aquarium, said: 'Our oceans are full of incredible stories of transformation and diversity. 'Sunset Seas is our way of celebrating those stories while creating a safe, inclusive, and joyful space for people to connect and be themselves.' Dr Who gone Woke
North Wales Live
3 hours ago
- North Wales Live
8ft ambush shark 'more common' than thought on Welsh coast
An enigmatic species of shark known to be favour Welsh waters could be more abundant than previous suspected, scientists believe. The Angel shark, a large flat species resembling a stingray, is unique because it has evolved very differently to other types of shark. Previously only reliably spotted around the Canary Islands, catch evidence from Welsh fishermen has shown that Cardigan Bay is also a stronghold for this elusive and vulnerable species. The Welsh population had thought to be shrinking dramatically as a result of habitat damage and bycatch fishing, with one study indicating a 70% decline since 1970. A major conservation project was launched in the hope of saving a species that lingers on the sea floor, half-buried in sand and mud, waiting for prey to swim near them. They can grow up to 2.4m (8ft) long. However a new study, 'People & Nature', from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW) suggests previous Angel shark counts were wide of the mark. Its authors believes changes to commercial fishing practices have seen fewer angel sharks caught. As the speckled, caramel-coloured sharks are masters of camouflage, finding them on the sea floor is virtually impossible. Instead, evidence from boat captains is the only reliable way the population can be assessed. It's now thought fishermen are catching fewer not because numbers are dwindling but because they are targeting different waters and using species-specific nets. To reach its conclusions, the ZSL-led study harnessed the expertise of Welsh fishing organisations. Co-author was Charlie Bartlett, a charter fisherman from Gwynedd, who said: 'I've spent over 50 years working along the Welsh coast, and over the years I've come to know these waters inside out. 'With their large, flat fins, Angel sharks are unlike any other shark we see here - and over the years I've been fortunate to encounter the species a number of times.' In the 40 years to 2020, some 1,642 Angel sharks were reported in Welsh coastal waters. A particular safe haven is in an area south of the Llŷn Peninsula. While they pose very little risk to humans, they have been known to bite when provoked. Literature analysis going back two centuries revealed they have a long maritime heritage in Wales. No fewer than 16 different names were uncovered, including Monkfish, Banjofish, Bafoon, Shovelnose and Devilfish. Its traditional Welsh name is Maelgi (Monkfish). The species has been adopted as the flagship species for marine conservation in Wales. Working with the Welsh Fishermen's Association (Cymdeithas Pysgotwyr) and Angling Cymru Sea Anglers, scientists interviewed 27 fishers about their operations between 1968 and 2019. It became clear modern practices involve fewer interactions with Angel sharks, leading to fewer sightings. Lead author Francesca Mason, a ZSL researcher at the Institute of Zoology's Ocean Predator Lab, said: 'There may be more Angel sharks swimming off the Welsh coast than we previously thought – we're just having a harder time spotting them. 'While this is a good sign if less Angel sharks are being caught accidentally, it also means we now need new ways to monitor them to build a more accurate picture of how these sharks are doing.' Instead of relying on chance sightings, scientists are now pinning their hopes on a novel technique involving environmental DNA (eDNA). This can build up in the shark's surroundings through the shedding of dead skin cells or blood loss from a wound. Already eDNA is being measured for Angel Shark Project: Wales, part of the wider work of Project SIARC (Sharks Inspiring Action and Research with Communities). Jake Davies, technical specialist for Project SIARC, said: 'With their excellent camouflage, one of the hardest challenges we face studying Angel sharks is simply finding them. eDNA allows us to study species without having to spot them. 'By studying eDNA in Cardigan and Carmarthen Bays, we've confirmed the presence of a range of native sharks, skates and rays - including Angel sharks - in these more turbulent waters where other monitoring methods aren't as effective. 'Fishers today may be less likely to come across Angel sharks than they were 50 years ago, but through combining this technique with local knowledge, we can continue building a stronger picture of their status and distribution along the Welsh coast.' The Angel shark work was supported by the On the Edge conservation charity, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Welsh Government and the Welsh Government's Nature Networks Fund.
