Efforts to Save Dolphin Stuck in Creek Mud Are Unsuccessful

A noble rescue effort to save a dolphin stuck in thick mud in a nearly dry bayside creek bed in Monmouth County came up short on Tuesday and a decision was made to euthanize the animal.

Rescue Effort to Save Dophin Stuck in Creek Bed

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine received a call on Tuesday, March 4th, asking to help a Common dolphin that had somehow become stranded in a bayside creek near Meadow Ave. in Monmouth Beach.

The male dolphin was lying unsupported in the thick mud of the nearly dry creek bed.

According to a Facebook post, a team from the MMSC met police from Monmouth Beach, members of the Monmouth Beach Department of Public Works, and locals who were assisting in the efforts to keep the dolphin comfortable by spraying him with water.

The first thing rescuers did was to place boards along the banks of the creek to offer rescuers support to stand on while they worked with a crew from a construction company that happened to be working close by.

The team was able to secure the dolphin on a stretcher.

Then, using a forklift, the construction team safely lifted the stretcher out of the creek and to the MMSC vehicle waiting nearby.

The Dolphin Was Transported to Brigantine for Exam

The dolphin was taken to see the veterinarian at the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine.

The examination showed that the dolphin was underweight, weak, and lethargic. He had legions on much of his body and abrasions to his flukes and pectoral fins.

The doctor assessed that the dolphin's weakened body condition, coupled with being stuck in the mud without water to support his body weight for an unknown time, made the dolphin’s prognosis very poor.

A decision was made to humanely euthanize the animal to prevent further suffering.

The dolphin was taken to the Animal Health Diagnostic Lab at the NJ. Dept. of Agriculture in Trenton for a necropsy.

Further information on findings from the necropsy will be shared later on the MMSC website.

MMSC Share Thanks With Rescue Team

We want to extend our gratitude to the Monmouth Beach Police Department, Monmouth Beach Department of Public Works, Schiavone Construction, MMSC volunteers, and the many Good Samaritans for your assistance today.

 

Seeing the community come together to support our team and do whatever they could to help this beautiful dolphin in his final moments was inspiring.

 

Although the outcome for this dolphin was not what we had all hoped for, in death he will contribute to the scientific knowledge of his species and hopefully help us understand the reason for his stranding and others.