In a heroic show of compassion and skill, a team of animal rescuers dedicated an entire day to aid two dolphins that had veered dangerously close to stranding in the shallow waters off Cape Cod. The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), a Yarmouth, Massachusetts-based nonprofit, rose to the challenge, engaging multiple vessels and a unique mobile dolphin rescue vehicle in their efforts.
The IFAW was alerted of the dolphins incident on a Thursday morning with callers informing them of several dolphins spotted near the mouth of Herring River, a location notorious for its shallow and arduous-to-navigate mud flats. The initial plan was to direct the marine mammals back to deeper waters — the rescuers grouped on-site, positioning themselves in “the gut” of the river.
Despite their hopes of an effortless rescue, the team’s herding technique proved futile and they found themselves reassessing and reconsidering their strategy. In the end, decision earned them their success. The rescuers resolved to extract the two dolphins off Chequesset Neck Road using their specially-equipped, mobile dolphin rescue vehicle.
“Recognizing the ebbing tide and their audibly labored breathing, we understood that their survival depended on our ability to promptly transport them to deeper waters,” reflected Lauren Cooley, a stranding biologist and animal rescue responder with IFAW. Cooley also emphasized the importance of their mobile unit, as it allowed the team to provide the dolphins with comprehensive physical exams, treatment, and supportive care to counter the impacts of their confinement in shallow water.
As the sun graced the horizon with hues of orange and purple, the dolphin pair was finally released into the deeper waters off Provincetown at Herring Cove Beach. Their movements continue to be monitored by the organization using a temporary satellite tag.
IFAW’s Dolphin Rescue Center remains dedicated to the rehabilitation and care of stranded dolphins, citing Cape Cod as having the most dolphin stranding incidents globally. Over the past five years, the organization has reportedly responded to more than 400 cases of live stranded dolphins, whales, and porpoises.
Perhaps surprising to many, marine mammals often inadvertently beach themselves due to factors ranging from stormy weather and navigation errors to old age and illness, according to the Fish and Wildlife Foundation of Florida. Being landlocked or trapped in shallow waters can have fatal consequences for these creatures. The foundation advises bystanders witnessing such a predicament to notify trained responders rather than attempting to force the animal back into the water, a misstep that could potentially exacerbate the animal’s situation and complicate the rescue mission.
