Elusive dolphin seen in Grand Harbour

Updated - Grand Harbour has an unusual visitor - a dolphin.

The mammal was seen near fishmarket this afternoon, but may actually have been in Grand Harbour for some days.

A spokesman for Nature Trust said its Marine Rescue Team was monitoring the situation and it had notified Mepa, which is the authority responsible on such matters. A vet will be called if necessary.

A Mepa spokesman said an enforcement officer was monitoring the situation and action would be taken if the dolphin was in distress.

However the dolphin was not seen for the remainder of the afternoon, even though officials searched for it on a number of boats.

This dolphin was also spotted from Vittoriosa by a group of friends out for a stroll yesterday. Jimmy Grima and his friends reported the dolphin to Nature Trust as it appeared to be confused and tired. Nature Trust informed them they would send a boat to escort the animal out to sea.

Mr Grima said locals in the Three Cities had told him the dolphin had been spotted in the harbour several times over recent days.  

Picture Jimmy Grima mynews@timesofmalta.com