Dolphin found with suspected 'sunburn' put down

The dolphin found in reeds had to be put down

A dolphin found in a river with suspected sunburn has been put down.

The dolphin had a blister "bigger than a rugby ball" when it was discovered by a kayaker between Falmouth and Truro, Cornwall.

Volunteers from British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) were called out to the Kennall River on Saturday morning.

Dave Jarvis from BDMLR said it was not clear if the dolphin was one of six that had beached at nearby Mylor Harbour on Friday.

The dolphin had a blister "bigger than a rugby ball"

Mr Jarvis said: "The pathologist wondered if the blister might have been caused by sunburn."

The kayaker came across the 1.2m (4ft) female dolphin stuck in reeds in the river by the landmark Norway Inn on the A39.

The blister would have left the dolphin open to infection and vets thought it best to put the animal down.

Tests are now being carried out to confirm the cause of its injuries.

Volunteers from the BDMLR recovered the dolphin from the Kennall River