Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2006 | Page 39

ISLE OF WIGHT - WILDLIFE

Picture Top: A picture of a grey seal
which was reported loafing around on
the rocks at Bembridge, people were
concerned it was not moving, so the
BDMLR attended and observed from
a safe distance and took veterinary
advice, it turned out he was just tired
or had an upset stomach and returned
to the water shortly thereafter.
Picture Above: A Striped Dolphin
beached at Whitecliff Bay however
despite the teams best efforts it
appeared that the Dolphin had suffered
brain damage and unfortunately
did not make it on this occasion.

Basking sharks

Another monster of the deep found around the
Channel coasts is the Basking shark. Though not
a mammal, this slow-moving giant is commonly
found around the seas of Devon, Cornwall and
Dorset and may yet turn up around the south
coast of the Isle of Wight. Its huge mouth collects
plankton and other tiny sea creatures and is
not as dangerous as its fish-eating cousins.

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