Two dolphins were rescued Wednesday in Lee County, Florida, after becoming stranded in the shallows of a lagoon, possibly more than a month ago.
The county sheriff's office said witnesses reported seeing the two stranded deep in the mangrove forest near Matlacha late Monday night, and a rescue effort was launched Tuesday morning. .
Biologists from LCSO's Marine Division and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) used shallow water boats to plow through mangrove canals and mudflats to locate the dolphins.
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Two dolphins stranded in the shallow waters of a Florida lagoon have been rescued after multiple Lee County agencies worked together to pull the mammals to safety. (Lee County Sheriff's Office)
The sheriff's office said the lagoon was only about 2 to 3 feet deep at high tide, and the path leading to the open water was only about 2 feet deep, preventing the dolphins from escaping.
“Biologists believe the dolphins may have been stranded since at least the high tide in mid-November, or even further back when Hurricane Milton caused water levels to rise in October,” the sheriff said. the office said.
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The dolphin was placed on a floating mat and pulled out of the lagoon's heavy mud before being rescued. (Lee County Sheriff's Office)
Both agencies said on Tuesday that they were unable to rescue the two adult dolphins due to “technical and environmental challenges” in capturing, lifting and moving them in “heavy mud,” and more groups will be calling on Wednesday. participated in this initiative.
FWC, LCSO, the Dolphin Research Program, Chicago-Sarasota's Brookfield Zoo, Clearwater Aquarium, Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium all converged on the lagoon with more equipment to rescue the dolphin.
The dolphin was rescued after it was placed on a floating mat and towed through more than 300 yards of dirt and mud to deep water.
After evaluation by FWC biologists, the dolphin was brought to safety and released into deep water. (Lee County Sheriff's Office)
FWC biologists evaluated them, placed satellite tags on them, and safely released them into the deep waters of Matlacha Pass.
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“The Lee County Sheriff's Office is always willing to help our great residents on land and water,” the agency wrote on Facebook.
