A stranded porpoise was rescued and returned to the sea after becoming stranded on a British beach.
The mammal washed up on Aberavon beach, in Port Talbot, Wales, and was spotted by a dog walker after it became beached 400metres from the water.
People rushed to the beach, desperate to do anything they could to help the stranded porpoise, including 55-year-old hero fisherman David Benjamin, who rescued two nine-year-old boys from the same beach last week.
Port Talbot Coastguard was called on Tuesday morning after the sea-borne mammal, similar to a dolphin, was spotted by a passing dog walker nearly 400 metres from the water.
They were soon on the scene, accompanied by people living nearby who wanted to help, reports Wales Online .
The RSPCA and a vet checked on the animal and, once found to be uninjured, Port Talbot RNLI volunteers were called to help return it to sea.
It was returned safely and seemed to be doing well once back in the water, the RNLI said.
Port Talbot Coastguard spokesman, Martin Williams, said the incident showed how “kind and generous the people of Port Talbot are”.
He added: “We were called around 6am after a dog walker spotted the animal and we immediately went down onto the beach to put towels around it to stop it from drying out while we waited for a vet to assess its condition.”
“Residents came out to help up by collecting water and provided wet towels to keep it alive. We even had one lady who lived nearby bringing out teas and coffees for everyone while we waited.
“When we were taking the animal on the stretcher over to the water, lots of people were insisting on helping us to carry it. Unfortunately we had to stop them because they didn’t have gloves on and it could have harmed the animal, but it was a lovely gesture.
“The people of Port Talbot are so kind and generous. I’ve never seen anything like it, and we were very grateful for all the help.”