Write a commentA Harbour Porpoise has been found dead, beached at the side of the Clanrye River in the centre of Newry close to Newry Bus Station. It is thought it may have got disorientated at the mouth of Carlingford Lough.
The porpoise was spotted on Saturday after a member of the public contacted the USPCA who passed the information on to the relevant authorities after realising the mammal was beyond help.
The porpoise had several cuts and markings on it’s underside possibly from scraping on glass or shopping trollies lying in the river after it's death.
As it’s name suggests it is found around harbours and inlets and can go miles inland although it is quite rare for one to be seen in Newry.
Shay Daly from environmental group Love Your Lough commented on the unusual discovery and also spoke of his concerns of the amount of plastics and toxins in local waters.
“It's unusual for it to be this far up the river. I’m concerned about the amount of pollution, plastic and styrofoam used by local take away food industries, that is ending up in Newry Canal and Newry River.”
Mr Daly added “When you look around here there are lots of little bits of plastic, and these are all dangerous to the animals and wildlife”
One person saw a porpoise up at the ramparts on Saturday but it's not known if it was the same one or not. The public are asked to keep a look out for any other sightings.
DAERA and council officials plan to remove the animal from the river.
