Florida officials save two dolphins from shallow lagoon: 'Full speed ahead'

Florida officials save two dolphins from shallow lagoon: 'Full speed ahead'
Florida officials save two dolphins from shallow lagoon: 'Full speed ahead'

On Wednesday, two dolphins were rescued in Lee County, Florida, from a lagoon where they had been stranded for more than a month.

A rescue response was prompted Tuesday morning after witnesses reported seeing a pair stranded deep in the mangroves near Matlacha late Monday night, according to the county sheriff's office.

Dolphins being rescued in Florida lagoon
Two dolphins stranded in shallow waters of a Florida lagoon were rescued after multiple agencies in Lee County teamed up to pull the mammals to safety. (Lee County Sheriff's Office)

According to the sheriff's office, the lagoon was only about two to three feet deep at high tide, and the trails leading to open water were only about two feet deep, which prevented the dolphins from escaping.

According to biologists, the dolphins may have been stranded since at least a high tide in mid-November or even earlier, during Hurricane Milton in October, the sheriff's office stated.

Dolphins placed on floating mat
The dolphins were rescued after being placed onto a floating mat and pulled out of heavy mud in the lagoon. (Lee County Sheriff's Office)

On Tuesday, the two adult dolphins could not be rescued by the two agencies due to technical and environmental challenges related to trapping, lifting, and moving them through heavy mud. As a result, more groups joined the rescue efforts on Wednesday.

The dolphins were rescued by the FWC, LCSO, Dolphin Research Program, Brookfield Zoo Chicago-Sarasota, Clearwater Aquarium, and Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium at the lagoon with additional equipment.

Dolphins pulled out of shallow lagoon
The dolphins were pulled to safety and released into deeper waters after being evaluated by FWC biologists. (Lee County Sheriff's Office)

Biologists from the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission evaluated, tagged, and released the fish into deeper waters in Matlacha Pass.

The Lee County Sheriff's Office is always ready to assist our wonderful residents both on land and sea, as stated on Facebook.

by Elizabeth Pritchett

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