Dolphin Rescue, Wellfleet MA

On Feb 27, 2010 a dramatic rescue of a young dolphin occurred. Early that afternoon, a lone dolphin was seen feeding in Wellfleet Harbor. People from IFAW (International Fund of Animal Welfare) were called to observe the dolphin in case the dolpin should strand as the tide rolled out. During an exceptionally low low tide, in over 5 feet of muck and mud, 2 people from IFAW used a dingy supplied by the Wellfleet Harbor Master, to access the dolphin. After breaking one oar, they reached the dolphin. Unable to put the dolphin on the stretcher because of it sinking into the mud, they put the dolphin on a plank and slowly managed to return to the shore by paddling by hand through the muck and mud. Covered with mud from the top of their heads to their toes, and through the help of others on shore, they were able to get the dolphin into the specially designed van. After cleaning the animal, taking vital signs, doing a complete physical along with blood tests, they determined the animal was healthy enough to be released. We brought the dolphin to Race Point in Provincetown, injected the animal with medication to help it in its survival, tagged it with an orange tag numbered 156, and put on dry suits. With the aid of headlights of four police patrol cars, six IFAW volunteers and workers, the dolphin was carried to the water via a specially made stretcher. In waist deep water the dolphin was released. We were able to watch the florescence of the orange tag take off into the expanse of the ocean from the light of a large over sized flashlight.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• MVI
• 0948