Concerns grow for wounded dolphin spotted in Glasgow city centre river

Concern was growing today for a wounded dolphin spotted swimming through Scotland's biggest city.

Attempts to usher the creature out to sea from the River Clyde in Glasgow appeared to have failed.

Rescuers said the 10ft-long dolphin, usually found in the deep waters of the Atlantic, was in poor condition with a gash above its eye.

Volunteers with the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR), assisted by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, attempted to guide the Risso's dolphin towards the sea last night.

But it appeared back in the centre of Glasgow again today, with a reported sighting near the city's Clyde Arc bridge, known locally as the "squinty" bridge.

Vets were meeting to assess the dolphin's condition.

Nick Duthie of the BDMLR told BBC Radio Scotland: "Certainly, it's in a pretty compromised body state at the moment.

"It's very thin and it does have a number of cuts and grazes on it so we are quite concerned for its health."

According to the BDMLR, Risso's dolphins are usually a deep water species and it is very rare for one to be seen in shallow water.

The organisation asked that no one approach the animal or try to swim with it.

Strathclyde Fire and Rescue said it had officers on the scene today.

BDMLR director Mr Duthie and co-ordinator Andy Ireland travelled to Glasgow overnight to assist the stricken dolphin.

Mr Duthie said: "It is not possible to 'grab' the animal in the water at this stage for two reasons - the health and safety of the rescue team and the enormous stress it would cause to the animal.

"If the animal strands it will then be possible to attend to it and assess its condition.

"We are monitoring the animal from the shore at the moment and plan to make a careful assessment of its condition from a boat later today."