Featured Image Credit: Nova MacIsaac via CBC.ca
By Sarah Sharkey
On Prince Edward Island, a band of neighbors came together to rescue a stranded porpoise. Among the group of about 10 islanders was fisherman J.J. Chaisson. Chaisson has spent decades working as a fisherman but had never had this close of an encounter with a porpoise.
At the beginning of their rescue, they tried multiple times to get the distressed mammal out to deeper water but it seemed to end up back on the shore every time. This is probably because the animal was confused, disoriented and tired from his struggle to return to the ocean. The bay he was found in had shallow water and sandy shoals so it would require some navigation on his part if he wanted to make it back to the open ocean.
After many attempts in the original bay he was found in, Chaisson and his wife decided to drive the porpoise to a different launch point. He wrapped him up in a sweater and cradled the porpoise in his arms in the back of his truck as his wife drove them to the wharf in Souris. When they reached the wharf, Chaisson waded into the water and set it free. Although we will never know if the porpoise survived, it is heartwarming to know that people do care about the creatures of the sea. Bravo to Chaisson and all who helped him in his mission to save this lucky porpoise!