In the warm waters of Florida’s Indian River Lagoon, a carefully coordinated rescue unfolded this summer, giving a young bottlenose dolphin calf a second chance at life. The calf, entangled in fishing line, had been spotted by a paddle boarder in early July 2024. What began as a routine sighting soon required the involvement of a team of dedicated experts, led by NOAA Fisheries and Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI), and supported by the National Marine Mammal Foundation (NMMF), SeaWorld Orlando, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Florida Atlantic University | Harbor Branch, Volusia County, and The Coastal Stewards.
Researchers with HSWRI were able to locate the calf and document its condition through photos and drone footage on multiple occasions. The images revealed that the dolphin’s right pectoral flipper and body were tightly bound by fishing line, cutting off circulation to the flipper and leaving visible damage. Based on the imagery, NOAA and a panel of independent veterinary experts determined that the injuries would be life-threatening to the calf without intervention.
Entangled calf, July 8 2024
A Coordinated Effort
Rescue missions like this require close coordination between agencies and specialists from across the Southeastern US. On the morning of July 29, after a few weeks of planning, a dedicated team of scientists, field biologists, rescue experts, and veterinarians gathered for a pre-rescue briefing. Despite the risks inherent in wildlife rescue, particularly in this case, given the calf’s young age and compromised physical condition, the team remained focused on trying to assist the calf.
For nearly nine hours, the teams searched the area without spotting the entangled dolphin. As dusk neared, they finally located the mother and calf, but deteriorating weather conditions forced the team to postpone the rescue until the following morning.
A Successful Rescue
The next day, on July 30, the team’s patience paid off. The mother and calf were spotted again, much earlier in the day, this time swimming in a group of five dolphins. Brant Gabriel from SeaWorld Orlando, working alongside Eric Zolman from the NMMF’s Conservation Medicine team, kept track of the group as they waited for the dolphins to separate. When the opportunity finally presented itself, they deployed a 400-yard seine net, designed to rapidly but safely encircle the mother and calf.
The team coordinated their efforts by radio, carefully closing the net around the pair. Throughout the process, the dolphins swam calmly within the net, showing no signs of distress. The water, about 3 feet deep, allowed the rescuers to stand and safely operate without undue danger to themselves or to the animals.
Dolphins in the compass, July 30 2024.
As the team entered the water, they worked together to reduce the net’s 80-yard circumference to bring the dolphins closer to the handlers. Once the net was tightened, they created a window for the team to approach the animals. The mother and calf were kept together and positioned to face each other, helping them stay calm and connected. The dolphins were closely monitored the entire time for signs of distress, but both remained calm and alert, constantly communicating.
Eric Zolman from the NMMF’s Conservation Medicine team safely secures the dolphin calf for veterinary care, July 30 2024. The calf, who was assigned the HSWRI Field ID Hubbs-24-27-Tt, was nicknamed TEDY by the team.
Dr. Mike Walsh from the University of Florida led the veterinary team in assessing both dolphins. The fishing line, which had caused tissue damage to the calf’s pectoral flipper, was carefully removed to prevent further harm. After administering a long-acting antibiotic, the dolphins were released back into the lagoon.
The entire rescue was completed in under 30 minutes, with the dolphins spending less than 10 minutes in human care, minimizing stress. Once freed, the mother and calf swam off together and shortly afterward joined two other mom-and-calf pairs.
Vet working on removing TEDY's entanglement, July 30 2024.
Preparing to release mom (ELLI) and disentangled calf (TEDY), July 30 2024.
Signs of Recovery
Ten days post-rescue, the mother and calf were resighted by HSWRI researchers. A VHF tag attached to the mother made it easier to locate, track, and monitor the pair. The young calf was observed chasing fish and spending time independently from its mother, both promising signs of recovery and improving health.
The Bigger Picture
This rescue is one of several interventions the NMMF rescue team participates in each year, playing a crucial role in safeguarding vulnerable marine mammal populations. However, entanglement in fishing gear continues to pose a serious threat to dolphins, manatees, and other aquatic species. In Florida’s Indian River Lagoon, where this rescue took place, entanglement is a leading cause of mortality for dolphins. While the calf’s future remains uncertain, the compassionate response by experts gave her a fighting chance at survival.
This incident highlights the importance of properly disposing of fishing gear. Even something as small as a discarded line can have serious consequences for marine life. Although this rescue was successful, the ultimate goal is to prevent such entanglements altogether. Achieving this requires everyone who interacts with our waters to act as responsible stewards of the environment, ensuring that marine mammals and other aquatic species can thrive without human-imposed hazards. For now, the calf’s story is a reminder of the positive impact that expert collaboration can have in protecting our oceans and the species that call them home.
ELLI and TEDY in shallow water, along the west side of the Indian River, August 9 2024.
The NMMF would like to say a special thank you to all of the dedicated partners involved in this rescue, including NOAA Fisheries, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute (HSWRI), SeaWorld Orlando, University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Florida Atlantic University | Harbor Branch, Volusia County, and The Coastal Stewards.
ELLI and TEDY surface together along the west side of the Indian River, August 9 2024.
What to Do if You Encounter a Stranded, Injured or Entangled Marine Mammal
If you encounter a stranded, injured, or entangled marine animal, it’s critical to act quickly:
- Stay a safe distance from the animal and avoid direct contact.
- Call your local marine mammal stranding network for help. You can locate the nearest network through NOAA’s Marine Mammal Health & Stranding Response Program.
- For quick reporting, download NOAA’s Dolphin and Whale 911 app.
