Two dolphins were rescued from a "hidden" Liverpool beach after becoming stranded.
Crews from Wirral RNLI were sent to Oglet Shore, in Speke, after a birdwatcher made the discovery of the two common dolphins. The mother and calf were found washed up on a sandbank on Sunday, February 26.
They were unable to swim away on their own due to the state of the tide, but British Divers Marine Life Rescue medics and crews from RNLI were called to help.
READ MORE: Face of woman who ruined her own grandad's life
Oglet Shore, in Speke, is known for being a "hidden" beach in Liverpool, due to its location behind Liverpool John Lennon Airport. It's tucked away and often described as being the "last truly rural area".
As well as being a recreation site for many Speke and Hale residents, it is home to rare wildlife, bats and bird species. When help arrived at Oglet Shore for the dolphins, both were responsive but had some minor injuries caused by sea birds.
BDMLR Area Coordinator Chris Cureton said: "On arrival, we found the mother and calf stranded and both had scavenger damage around their eyes and blowholes. The calf was lying on its side, which isn’t a good position for a cetacean.
"We immediately righted it and treated both animals. Despite their injuries, we hope that the mother and calf will make it."
With the tide flooding, the two agencies decided that transporting both dolphins on the hovercraft and lifeboat could not be done safely and would cause them further distress.
The RNLI crew and BDMLR medics agreed the best possible option was to wait for the incoming tide to cover the bank, allowing the dolphins a chance to swim away. The medics and RNLI crew carefully moved the calf closer to its mother and the pair began to communicate.
READ NEXT: Man is sick in dock as his wife is jailed for biting pub barmaid's ear off
Teacher who let boy, 4, leave school alone 'didn't want to be there’
These are the faces of 50 Liverpool criminals who were jailed during February
Man suffers head injury after mass brawl breaks out in gym
Matalan shoppers praise 'gorgeous' £11 floral mini dress that's 'soft and comfortable'
