Dolphin returns towards sea after escaping lock

A dolphin that had become trapped in a lock on the River Medway, Kent, has managed to escape.

The dolphin, which was said to be in good condition when inspected by divers from the British Divers Marine Life Rescue, was spotted in Rochester on Tuesday morning, closer to the sea.

Julia Cable, operations director at the charity, said that animals did pass through the lock "now and then", but that it was "unusual" for a dolphin.

Generally, common dolphins are found in deeper water and stay out of smaller rivers, she added.

Cable said: "We monitored the dolphin. It's quite small and young.

"It's hard to assess them when they are swimming and leaping around.

"The breathing was normal and no injuries were seen."

Dolphins are mostly spotted off the Kent coast near Margate, but they be found anywhere, Cable added.

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