Global Courant 2023-05-18 21:04:24
Two Florida deputies and an off-duty deputy helped rescue a newborn dolphin found alone and struggling in the ocean off a beach town earlier this month.
The deputy sheriff was fishing from a boat in the gulf near Hudson, Florida, on May 10 when he spotted the dolphin calf swimming in circles and struggling to surface to breathe, the Pasco Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.
The calf was said to have been just hours or days old, officials said.
The off-duty deputy called the sheriff’s Maritime Operations Unit, which sent two deputies by boat to meet him in the water.
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The dolphin appeared to be just a few hours or days old, according to officials. (Pasco Sheriff’s Office)
Bodycam footage worn by officers shows deputies retrieving the baby dolphin and taking the marine mammal to Clearwater by boat. The deputies wrap the calf in a blanket and pour water over its body as they make the 30-minute journey.
Deputies wrapped the dolphin calf in a blanket and poured water over him as they sailed to Clearwater, Florida to meet with the aquarium staff. (Pasco Sheriff’s Office)
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At the dock, the delegates met with Clearwater Marine Aquarium staff, who took the calf into their care before transferring it to SeaWorld Rescue.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium personnel met the deputies at a dock in Clearwater and took the dolphin calf into their care. (Pasco Sheriff’s Office)
SeaWorld Rescue said the dolphin calf, a male, was still in critical condition on Tuesday but is showing signs of improvement and swimming on its own, according to the sheriff’s office.
Officials advised the public to call the proper authorities when finding an animal in distress and to monitor the animal from a distance to assist rescuers.
