The dolphins were seen trapped in the mangroves in very shallow water on Monday night.
MATLACHA, Fla. — Two dolphins that were stranded in shallow water were rescued by a large crew of wildlife officials, law enforcement and biologists in southwest Florida.
People saw the marine animals in a shallow water lagoon, deep in the mangroves near Matlacha on Monday night. The Lee County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit and biologists from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded Tuesday morning.
They used shallow water boats to navigate through the mangrove canals and were able to locate the dolphins. Officials said the lagoon was only two to three feet deep at high tide and the water was too low in the trails for the animals to swim through to escape.
"Biologists believe the dolphins could 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," a Facebook post read.
The rescuers were faced with the environmental and technical challenges of moving the two nine-foot dolphins through heavy mud, so more experts from places like MOTE Marine and the Clearwater Aquarium met early Wednesday morning to help.
Lee County deputies also jumped into help, and both dolphins were placed on floating mats and "pulled through over 300 yards of mud and muck."
"The Lee County Sheriff's Office is always willing to help out our great residents..... on land and sea," officials joked.
After, they were towed by a boat to deeper waters. The animals were evaluated, tagged and released in the Matlacha Pass.
Stranded Dolphins Pulled From Mangroves Maze
Late Monday night, witnesses reported seeing two dolphins stranded in a shallow water lagoon, deep in the mangroves, near Matlacha.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit, along with biologists from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) responded Tuesday morning and used shallow water boats to navigate through the mangrove canals and mud flats to locate two dolphins.
The lagoon's depth was only 2'-3' deep at high tide. Making the conditions more difficult was the 2' of water or less in the trails leading to open water prevented the dolphins from escaping. Biologists believe the dolphins could 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.
Due to the technical and environmental challenges of trapping, lifting, and moving the two 9' adult dolphins through heavy mud- FWC, LCSO, MOTE Marine, Brookfield Zoo Chicago-Sarasota, Dolphin Research Program, and Clearwater Aquarium met early Wednesday morning with more shallow water boats and equipment to save the dolphins.
With all hands on deck, Lee County Marine Unit deputies jumped in to help. 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. FWC biologists evaluated the dolphins, applied satellite tags, and they were released back into deeper water in Matlacha Pass.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office is always willing to help out our great residents..... on land and sea
Posted by Lee County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday, December 11, 2024
