Saving Mayo’s Dolphins

The Ocean Classroom

 

School children are growing their understanding of whale and dolphin strandings within their communities and how to respond, thanks to philanthropy through the Mayo Sustainability Fund (July 2026).

A school room environment taken from the back of a class. The backs of young students can be seen, they are sitting facing a screen. A teacher is explaining about whale and dolphin strandings. This is the ocean classroom.
The Ocean Classroom

Experts

Experts from the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group (IWDG) help local communities understand why whales, dolphins and porpoises can strand alive, what to do when this happens, and how schools, Search and Rescue agencies, veterinarians and coastal communities can all play a role in safer and more effective response.

So far, the project has reached 585 children across Erris through school-based marine education, with more schools to be reached this coming autumn.

Through the Ocean Classroom project young people learn about responder preparedness and live stranding awareness training with local Search and Rescue agencies, including Westport Coast Guard, Ballyglass Coast Guard and Ballyglass RNLI. This is strengthening understanding of how IWDG works locally in Mayo during live stranding incidents.

Another important part of the project is building veterinary capacity for live stranded dolphins. Online training for veterinarians, certified by the Veterinary Council of Ireland, supports better assessment, welfare decisions and veterinary intervention during live stranding events.

Three people on a beach approaching the oceans edge, they are carrying a stretcher with a rescued dolphin.

Rescue Equipment

Additional rescue equipment has also been purchased, and the new Mayo-based dolphin rescue trailer has been kitted out to improve readiness for incidents in Blacksod Bay and other live stranding hotspots.

The project will continue over the coming months, with further school outreach from September and attendance at local community events, helping more people learn about local marine wildlife, when to call for help, and the role local communities can play in live stranding response.

This work is in line with Community Foundation Ireland’s mission of mobilising strategic philanthropy to advance equality, strengthen communities and protect our nature and environment.

Thank You to Gemma O’Connor, IWDG Live Stranding Coordinator, for providing the information on this incredible work. Funding for this work is provided through the Mayo Sustainability Fund, established by Community Foundation Ireland in partnership with the Sunflower Charitable Foundation and other philanthropists and donors.

Support our Work on Planet

If you are interested in getting involved in our work on climate and nature under our Planet priority pillar visit our Strategic Giving Page.