[MARINE_BIOLOGY_INTERNATIONAL] Mote treats dolphin found stranded on Longboat Key

Mote treats dolphin found stranded on Longboat Key

Mote Marine Laboratory workers feed Edna, a bottlenose dolphin that was found stranded Wednesday on Longboat Key. She is being treated for severe pneumonia. (Photo provided by Mote Marine)

Staff report

Friday, June 8, 2012 at 1:46 p.m.

A group of volunteers checking on sea turtle nests on Longboat Key on Wednesday found a stranded bottlenose dolphin instead.

Facts
WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A STRANDED DOLPHIN
Mote offers several tips for making stranded dolphins more comfortable before rescuers arrive.

• Do not push the animal back into the water - this is illegal and will prevent the animal from receiving proper care.
• Make sure water and weather conditions are safe before proceeding.
• If safe to do so, you can stabilize the dolphin by holding it upright so that its blowhole is above water.
• If the dolphin is beached, make the dolphin more comfortable by digging holes in the sand for its front flippers then roll the animal upright.
• While waiting for the stranding team, protect the dolphin from overheating and sunburn by keeping the animal wet and providing shade. Avoid getting water into the animal's blowhole.
• To avoid injury, stay clear of the mouth and tail and observe the animal from a safe distance until experts arrive.
• Keep children and pets at a safe distance and try to avoid startling the animal.
The 3 year-old female dolphin is now being treated for severe pneumonia at Mote Marine Laboratory's Dolphin and Whale Hospital.

Nicknamed Edna by Mote staff, the dolphin is 6.5 feet long and weighs 171 pounds. Her condition is stable, but she is still very sick. Donations to help cover the cost of the dolphin's medicine can be made online at www.mote.org/hospitalhelp or by calling Mote's Development Office at 941-388-4441, ext. 309.

Anyone who comes across a stranded dolphin in Sarasota or Manatee counties can call Mote 24-hour pager response service at 941-988-0212.

Stranded manatees should be reported to the state wildlife officials at 1-888-404-3922.

Herald-Tribune