Necropsy Planned For Dolphin Found Dead In Long Island Bay: DEC

PLANDOME HEIGHTS, NY — A stranded dolphin found dead in a Long Island bay Wednesday had problems swimming in open water the night before, and will now be examined in a necropsy so that marine biologists can learn more about its health, a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation spokeswoman said.

The dolphin became stuck in a patch of mud in Manhasset Bay at about 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, and it was moved into deeper waters about two hours later, but some time after, marine biologists determined that it was “not a viable candidate to swim into open water” and advised rescuers to “stand down” late last night, said Maxine Montello, rescue program director for the New York Marine Rescue Center in Riverhead.

A DEC spokeswoman said the dolphin was “swimming irregularly and not exhibiting normal behavior.” Further intervention was abandoned due to “unsafe conditions,” and a response plan was established for the following morning, she said.

The marine center’s rescue team, which rescues marine life such as dolphins, seals, and turtles, planned to return to the bay at first light to examine the dolphin, but it died in the early morning, Montello said.

The mammal was an adult common dolphin, about five-and-half feet long, weighed about 250 lbs, though it was underweight, and it is likely that it was ill before becoming stranded, which is not an unusual occurrence, Montello said.

“It definitely stranded for a reason,” she added.

The dolphin’s carcass was transported to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society for a necropsy “to learn more about the animal’s health,” a DEC spokeswoman said.

Montello said that in strandings, sometimes all that is required is moving the dolphin into deeper waters, but most of the time, when strandings occur, the dolphin is already ill. In some cases, it is not always the best thing to remove a dolphin from the water and transport it to another location because it can cause more stress, she said.

Instead, the rescue organization advises anyone who finds a stranded dolphin to call its emergency hotline and wait until a marine biologist arrives for an evaluation, according to Montello.

Stranded animals are “already under extreme stress and unnecessary handling or attention can further worsen their condition,” a DEC spokeswoman said, adding that the agency advises against intervening, but instead urges residents to call the rescue center’s stranding hotline where they will be provided with directions.

She went on to say that dolphins are “federally-protected animals and require trained response teams to evaluate and assist them.”

Anyone wishing to report a stranded dolphin, or other marine life like seals, or a sold-stunned turtles to the rescue center, can call 631-369-9829.

“We are here to help,” Montello said.

Multiple agencies, including the state Department of Environmental Conservation, and officers from Nassau County police's 6th Precinct, its Emergency Services Unit, and the Marine Bureau aided in the attempted rescue, as well as multiple fire departments, including Manhasset-Lakeville, Port Washington and the Great Neck Alert Fire Company.

A Manhasset-Lakeville Ambulance Unit also stood by to assist rescuers.

Two police officers suffered multiple lacerations on their feet and were transported to an area hospital for treatment, police said.

Their efforts quickly had social media abuzz.

One local woman, who posted photos on Facebook, recounted the rescue for her followers saying that the rescuers could walk out in the water the tide was so low.

"They are all trying to save it," she said, referencing police, firemen, the U.S. Coast Guard, and animal control officers who responded to the bay.

The dolphin was first located by a good Samaritan who alerted police by calling 911, and Sgt. Vitiello and Police Officer Owens from the 6th Precinct stepped into the mud and made their way over to help the mammal, Nassau County police said.

Officers Cassidy and Stassi of the Marine Bureau responded to provide additional help, and the "dolphin was lifted onto a kayak and dragged about 300 feet through knee-deep mud to an open area of water," police said.

In a group effort, police and the good Samaritan hoisted the dolphin into the water, which was deep enough for it to swim in, and then made their way back to shore, police said.

The rescue effort proved to be an arduous one that spanned roughly two hours with the dolphin finally being brought to safety at about 7:20p.m., and then firefighters from the Great Neck Alert and Manhasset-Lakeville fire departments, who were on a small boat, guided it further into deeper water, police said.