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Successful Team Effort Saves Juvenile Dolphin Stranded in Hurricane Ida Storm Surge

Last week, response teams from the Audubon Aquarium’s Coastal Wildlife Network, Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, National Marine Mammal Foundation, NOAA Fisheries, SeaWorld Orlando and SeaWorld Texas jumped into action to rescue a juvenile dolphin from stranded in retention pond in Slidell, Louisiana.

The cetacean was one of many animals stranded in the aftermath of  Hurricane Ida. With storm surge and increased water levels associated with hurricanes, marine mammals often become stranded on land or be washed into inland waterways where they are not typically observed, including lakes, canals and levees.

The rescue team, led by Jon Peterson, SeaWorld Orlando’s Vice President of Zoological Operations, was able to quickly evaluate the animal, confirm it was in good health, safely transport and release it back into the Gulf.

This successful effort was due to extensive coordination between all partners, including monitoring the animal daily prior to rescue, sharing information about its condition and the surrounding area. Thanks to all involved, this young dolphin was SeaWorld’s 151 dolphin rescue to date.

Watch the release and learn more about our Rescue team, here.

 

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