Ten dolphins were released back to the wild on Wednesday after they became stranded near Wellfleet, prompting a nearly seven-hour rescue effort, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
The fund began to receive reports of 11 Atlantic white-sided dolphins close to the shore off Wellfleet late Tuesday afternoon, it said in a statement. Eight dolphins were found near Wellfleet Town Pier, in Duck Creek, and another three were found in a part of the Herring River commonly referred to as “The Gut.” That area of the river is a “frequent stranding location” because it has shallow slopes, a hook-like shape, and “extreme tidal fluctuations,” according to the statement. Both areas have “incredibly harsh conditions for rescues.”
IFAW Stranding Biologist Lauren Cooley said the rescue had “many challenges” because of the conditions, the number of dolphins, and the fact that rescuers had to deal with two simultaneous strandings.
“The team was able to overcome all of these challenges to give these dolphins their best chance at survival,” Cooley said.
Six of the 11 dolphins were taken to a deeper water release site near Provincetown by the IFAW’s mobile dolphin rescue clinic, a “one-of-a-kind vehicle” designed to “meet the needs of what is considered a global stranding hotspot on Cape Cod,” according to the statement. The vehicle allows IFAW veterinarians and experts to “perform health assessments and stabilize the dolphins while quickly reaching the best site for release.”
One of the 11 dolphins died at the scene as a result of trauma from the stranding, according to the statement. But, the other four dolphins were rescued, despite the difficult conditions, and taken in a separate vehicle to Provincetown. There, all 10 dolphins were released together.
In all, the rescue effort involved 45 people, including 15 AmeriCorps members and IFAW staff and volunteers.
“While the dolphins suffered from stress related to the stranding, we’re very optimistic and full of hope for their return to deeper waters,” added Cooley.
