Heroic Rescue: Baby Dolphin Saved from Texas Lake After Losing Mother!
A young dolphin was recently found swimming alone in a lake along the Texas Gulf Coast, raising immediate concerns and prompting a rescue mission. The situation became even more urgent when it was discovered that the dolphin’s mother had been found dead and washed ashore not long before.
The rescue effort involved several organizations working together to save the baby dolphin. The Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (TMMSN), San Antonio SeaWorld, Texas Parks and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries Service, and other local partners all played crucial roles in the mission. This coordinated response required four separate boats and a lot of expertise to ensure the dolphin’s safety.
Originally, the plan was to transfer the young dolphin to a rehabilitation facility in Galveston. However, Hurricane Beryl disrupted coastal operations, so the dolphin was instead taken to SeaWorld in San Antonio. There, she will receive the care and rehabilitation needed to recover from her ordeal.
NOAA Fisheries also provide steps to follow if you see Free Willy acting not-so-free:
- Keep your distance to avoid further stress and risk of injury
- Call the local stranding hotline and provide a photo of the animal if possible
- Wait for the responder to arrive at a safe distance from the animal
- Keep others away from disturbing the area and retain a calm atmosphere until help arrives.