New research by scientists in Australia shows that elephants are descended from a sea creature that used its trunk as a snorkel. They also found that elephant's lungs and kidneys are suited to a life in the sea and that they can stay underwater for long periods. It is thought that the trunk evolved as an adaptation to an aquatic environment. An Indian elephant may weigh from 4 to 5 tons but they can glide through the water with surprising elegance and can swim faster than a human being.

A fisherman noticed a small Minke Whale stranding itself at Penberth Cove at 5.30 in the morning on Wednesday 26th of May, but early attempts to re-float it failed when the young 14 ft Whale turned for shore again. As the tide went out it was left high and dry amid the large boulders at the top of the beach. Rescuers erected shades and kept it wet in an effort to keep it cool until the tide returned. The baby whale became frightened and struggled violently when it became buoyant and divers in the water had to confine it between inflatable booms until it calmed down. They then took ft out to sea still confined and ft was successfully released. It is considered that the young whale may have taken to the shore in fear of Killer Whales in the area. Males can grow to about 30 ft and females to 27 ft. Known also as the Piked Whale ft is the smallestof the rorquals.

Fred and Lutz have gathered me a few samples of plankton during the past month from various sites between the Brisons and Low Lee and viewed under the microscope nearly all of the creatures found jumping about have been Calanoid Copepods of various species, but it has also been full of wonderfully coloured phytoplankton, Pennate and Centric diatoms.

A very large Leatherback Turtle was found entangled in the rope of a crab pot marked buoy off Slinke Dean at 7.30 am. on the 1st of June. Several attempts were made to free ft but each time the turtle submerged. Eventually it was set free by cutting the rope. Another large turtle, presumably Leatherneck was seen off Fowey on May 3rd. Mike reports that there are lots of the large jellyfish, Rhizostomapulmo around so there may be more turtles also. Two other Turtle carcasses were found on Cornish Beaches in March, the first at Chapel Porth near Loggerhead Turtle St.Agnes on March 16th was a Leatherback measuring 55" x 36" across the carapace and the other was a Loggerhead measuring only 11" long at Perranporth on March 27th

I am at present entering data about the sightings of Dolphins, Whales, Basking Sharks etc. onto a database on my P.C. for Seaquest Southwest and it is interesting to note the progress of certain animals around the coast; for instance, one observer will notice a single Killer Whale moving West off Gwennap Head at a certain time and another observer will send in a report of a single Killer Whale passing Cape Cornwall about half an hour later. Progress can also be followed of a small pod of dolphins containing an individual known as Benty, easily recognized because of its bent over dorsal fin. That pod was in the Helford on May 9th, moved up to Plymouth by 12th and back to Fowey by the 19th , proceeding west to Low Lee by 2Oth May. There have been a dozen sightings of Bottlenosed Dolphins since my last report the latest being Four off Mousehole playing to a large audience on the pier on June 1st. and later that day at the Minack theatre when they entertained the audience during the interval. Basking sharks are being regularly reported, I have had reports ranging from Charlestown to Sennen the latest being on Sunday when two were seen at the Runnelstone from the dive boat. Cetacean stranding's of dead animals seem to have tapered off there have been none reported in May. Total to date for Cornwall this year being 45, much the same as this time last year.

• Conservation Officer Raymond Dennis