Herentals (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The harbor porpoise in the Albert Canal, Herentals, is at risk. SOS Dolfijn and VOC Neteland warn of skin damage and dehydration. Pip Duin urges Belgian groups, including Sea Life, to help.
As VRT News reported, the Dutch marine rescue group SOS Dolfijn is worried about a harbor porpoise swimming in the Albert Canal in Herentals, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium. They mentioned that the animal normally lives in the salty waters of the North Sea but has ended up far inland in freshwater.
Pip Duin, animal keeper at SOS Dolfijn, said the animal is in danger because porpoises cannot live long in freshwater.
“Their skin reacts badly and can become infected,”
Duin said. Witnesses have already noticed skin problems on the porpoise.
What is putting the Harbor Porpoise in Herentals’ Albert Canal at risk?
The wildlife centre VOC Neteland has also spoken out about the situation. The centre usually helps injured birds and small animals, but is now following this case closely. Staff members are working with SOS Dolfijn to see if a rescue may be needed soon.
Experts warn that the porpoise could suffer from hunger, dehydration, and further skin damage if it stays much longer in freshwater. Marine specialists say such incidents are becoming more common as sea temperatures rise and noise pollution confuses marine animals.
“We think the porpoise cannot survive in the channel without help”
Pip Duin, animal caretaker at the SOS Dolfin Foundation
Pip Duin, animal keeper at SOS Dolfijn, said the canal is nothing like the porpoise’s natural home in the sea.
“The whole situation is different for the porpoise than what it’s used to,”
Duin said.
“We had a similar case with a dolphin in the Netherlands last year. It was extremely difficult for the animal to return to the sea. For a porpoise, it is even more difficult because the locks block the way. We do not think this porpoise can survive in the canal without help.”
The Dutch team cannot act on its own because the animal is in Belgian waters, where they have no legal authority to carry out a rescue.
“As a Dutch organisation, we are not allowed to perform a rescue operation in Belgium,”
Duin said.
“But we are ready to take care of the porpoise afterwards if it can be brought to us.”
To ensure help for the animal, SOS Dolfijn has contacted several Belgian marine groups, including Sea Life Blankenberge, and asked them to monitor the porpoise and take action if its condition worsens.
“We hope they will monitor the animal and take steps when needed,”
Duin said.
When it was first seen earlier this week, Natuurpunt expert Elke Roels said there was no reason for immediate concern. She explained that porpoises sometimes enter rivers or canals by mistake and often find their way back to sea.
In 2023, a harbour porpoise also entered the Scheldt estuary near Antwerp and was later found dead, showing how dangerous freshwater areas can be for sea mammals. Experts say these incidents are now more common because of climate change, shifting fish stocks, and underwater noise that confuses marine animals.
A similar case happened in March 2024 in the Netherlands, when a common dolphin swam far inland near Harlingen and became trapped in freshwater. The rescue group SOS Dolfijn tried to monitor and guide the animal back to the sea, but the locks and heavy boat traffic made it very difficult.
