INDIAN RIVER, Fla. — A dolphin calf is now safe and healthy after a paddle boarder found it entangled in a fishing line off Florida's Atlantic Coast.
Nonprofit conservation organization The Coastal Stewards said the dolphin was swimming with its mother in the Indian River Lagoon earlier this month when the paddle boarder spotted the two. The person saw the line tightly wrapped around its flipper and body, which posed a severe risk to the dolphin's health, according to a Facebook post.
Experts from agencies including SeaWorld Orlando, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Florida Fish and Wildlife, helped free the baby.
A specialized boat encircled the calf and its mother in a net while teams worked to restrain them. Then, veterinarians monitored the two while successfully removing the fishing line and lure from the calf's body. During the procedure, officials said experts made sure to hold the mother and face her toward her baby to keep it as calm as possible.
The line cut off circulation to the flipper resulting in some tissue loss but the pair was released back into the lagoon.
"Dolphins are known for their remarkable ability to heal severe wounds in the wild, but only time will tell if the calf will be able to pull through," the post read.
The mother is now fitted with a radio-transmitting tag so a team at Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute can keep an eye on the pair.
The Coastal Stewards said this rescue emphasizes the importance of properly discarding fishing lines, nets and gear since marine debris threatens many species that consider the ocean their home.
"We hope this successful rescue inspires all of us to be better stewards of the sea to ensure a safer, cleaner, environment for all marine life," staff said in a statement.
Anyone who sees a stranded, injured, entangled or distressed marine dolphin, whale, manatee or sea turtle is encouraged to call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's alert hotline at 1-888-404-3922.