3 Dolphins Found Stranded In Marsh At Sandy Hook

HIGHLANDS, NJ — Three dolphins were found stranded deep in the marsh Sunday afternoon at Sandy Hook, and all three dolphins had to be euthanized, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center announced Tuesday on its Facebook account.

The dolphins were first discovered at 1 p.m. Sunday by a birder in the park. The dolphins were stranded deep in the marsh, on the north side of Spermaceti Cove.

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They were stranded in the marsh grass near a shallow creek.

Trained volunteers from the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, plus Sea Bright Fire and Rescue and National Park Service staff, hiked into the marsh and removed each dolphin on a stretcher.

The dolphins were carried to the beach for an initial examination and then taken to the Stranding Center's veterinarian. The dolphins were identified as adolescent Common dolphins, one male and two females.

"We suspect these may be the same dolphins reported in the Shrewsbury River on Friday," said the Marine Mammal Stranding Center. "Unfortunately, all three were found to be weak, lethargic, thin and in poor body condition. When stranded on land, the pressure of their own body weight can cause damage to internal organs, significantly reducing their chances of survival. Given the dolphins' poor condition and the unknown length of time they had been trapped in the mud, their prognosis for survival was very poor. Following veterinary assessment, the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize all three dolphins to prevent further suffering."

A necropsy will be done on their carcasses to determine why they stranded in the creek.

"These situations are difficult for everyone involved, and we are deeply appreciative of the teamwork and compassion shown by all who worked to help these dolphins," said the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.

The Marine Mammal Stranding Center is designated by the state to respond and retrieve sick or injured marine mammals (whales, seals, dolphins) when they come ashore in New Jersey. It is illegal for anyone else to touch the animals.