Fwc Fish And Wildlife Research Institute issued the following announcement on Jan. 22.
Dolphin Calf Successfully Disentangled!
On Tuesday, FWC and a team of highly experienced marine mammal stranding network responders successfully removed embedded fishing line from a ~7 month old bottlenose dolphin calf. The mother-calf pair were being closely monitored by Clearwater Marine Aquarium since early December following frequent reports of the entanglement. Based on the deterioration of the calf's condition over the past week and after consultation with marine mammal veterinarians and experts, NOAA determined it would be in the calf's best interest to perform a high-risk catch-and-release intervention.
Why did it take time for this disentanglement to occur?
Catch-and-release interventions are dangerous for both the rescue personnel and the dolphin and are conducted only as a measure of last resort. Marine mammal experts and veterinarians were concerned that the likelihood of this dolphin dying during a net capture was extremely high, due to its young age and debilitated condition. Every effort was made to remove the entangling line remotely from a boat; however, when those efforts failed and the calf’s condition continued to deteriorate, it was determined that the risk of intervention was warranted to minimize the animal’s suffering and give it the best chance of survival. Marine mammal responders throughout Florida assembled with the experience and resources to safely carry out this rescue effort.
Thanks to our partners, this dolphin calf was given the best chance possible to survive: University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium SeaWorld Orlando NOAA Fisheries Service Sarasota Dolphin Research Program Chicago Zoological Society
If you see an injured, entangled, or dead dolphin, please call the Southeast Region Stranding Network hotline: 1-877-WHALE HELP (1-877-942-5343).
This rescue effort was conducted under MMPA Permit 18786-06
Original source can be found here.
Source: Fwc Fish And Wildlife Research Institute
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