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Video: 2 dolphins stranded in shallow water lagoon for weeks rescued in Florida

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Published  December 12, 2024 10:17am EST
Florida
FOX 13 News

Trapped dolphins rescued in SW Florida

A pair of dolphins who became trapped in a maze of mangroves weeks ago during a high tide have been rescued and released.

MATLACHA, Fla. - Two dolphins are back where they belong after being trapped in a shallow lagoon, deep in a mangrove maze for weeks.   

On Tuesday, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s Marine Unit and biologists from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) used shallow water boats to get through mangrove canals and mud flats to find two dolphins that witnesses reported seeing the night before. 

They said the lagoon was only two to three feet deep at high tide. On top of that, they added there was only two feet of water in trails that led to the open water, which kept the dolphins from escaping.  

READ: New Florida laws take effect Jan. 1: Here’s what to know

Biologists believe the dolphins may have been stranded since -at least- a very high tide in mid-November, or even as far back when water levels rose during Hurricane Milton in October.

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The FWC, LCSO, MOTE Marine, Brookfield Zoo Chicago-Sarasota, Dolphin Research Program, and the Clearwater Aquarium helped rescue the dolphins. Image is courtesy of the Lee County Sheriff's Office. 

On Wednesday, in addition to the FWC and LCSO, MOTE Marine, Brookfield Zoo Chicago-Sarasota, Dolphin Research Program, and the Clearwater Aquarium gathered with more shallow water boats and equipment to save the nine-foot dolphins.

Both dolphins were placed on floating mats and pulled through over 300 yards of mud and muck, and then towed by boat to deeper waters.  

After FWC biologists checked the dolphins out and applied satellite tags, they were released back into deeper water in Matlacha Pass.

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