A facility on Cape Cod that helps dolphins treated and let go its first at-risk animal after a dolphin was recently stuck on a Cape beach.
The Dolphin Rescue Center, a unique short-term rehab place for dolphins and porpoises, reported that it got and successfully let go its first patient earlier this week.
Members of the International Fund for Animal Welfare helped the stranded dolphin in Brewster, and then took the at-risk animal in its mobile dolphin rescue vehicle to IFAW’s Dolphin Rescue Center in Orleans.
After less than 24 hours at the center, the dolphin was taken to Herring Cove, where the animal was let go back into the water with a small temporary satellite tag.
“This is a significant new step for our program that will progress and guide marine mammal rescue efforts globally,” said Brian Sharp, director of IFAW’s marine mammal rescue team.
“This center meets an important need on the Cape where our team responds to an average of 70 live dolphins per year,” Sharp added.
After getting a report on Sunday morning of a live dolphin being stuck and struggling in the surf on a Brewster beach, the IFAW team safely secured the animal and took it to the rescue center.
The dolphin got constant care from IFAW’s team of veterinary experts, rescue staff, and volunteer responders who continuously monitored the animal, and reassessed its health based on diagnostics — including serial blood work and ultrasound.
Animals are only kept as long as their clinical signs show they are not ready to be let go, with a maximum time of four days in the center.
“For this dolphin, additional care was the only way for the animal to have a chance at survival,” said Sarah Sharp, IFAW’s animal rescue veterinarian. “He was suffering from shock, seawater aspiration, and trauma from the stranding event, but responded well to supportive care and treatments the team provided.”
The Dolphin Rescue Center aims to enhance post-release survival for live stranded small cetaceans suffering from acute conditions.
Through the advanced diagnostics and extended care at the center, the work there is expected to help inform treatment protocols and decisions for stranded dolphins across the globe.
The center will also provide training to regional, national and international responders as part of IFAW’s Academy of Rescue and Conservation.
