SeaWorld's Texas, Florida rescue teams fight to save dolphin

Teams from SeaWorld in Texas and Florida work in a joint effort to save a dolphin that was entangled in fishing gear near South Padre Island. More than three pounds of fishing gear was removed from the dolphin's body, including hooks, leaders and fishing line.

Staff Report

For The Record

SAN ANTONIO – Monday, Aug. 16, the SeaWorld San Antonio Rescue Team joined forces with the SeaWorld Orlando Rescue Team as well as The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and members of the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network to help rescue a bottlenose dolphin that was found entangled in fishing gear near South Padre Island in Texas.

After hours of searching, the devoted rescue teams retrieved the dolphin and removed more than three pounds of fishing gear that entangled the animal, including hooks, leaders, fishing line and more.

Once the dolphin was rescued and detangled, a SeaWorld Veterinarian and Animal Care Staff assessed the animal, gave it a complete physical checkup, took blood samples and cultures and gave the dolphin antibiotics for possible infection due to the entanglement. The animal was released back in to the ocean.

Entanglement in fishing gear and similar items can lead to suffocation or internal bleeding if hooks and lures are swallowed by the animal. To help prevent harm to wild dolphins and other animals, it is best to dispose of old line and hooks properly and be mindful of fishing locations where animals are known to surface to breathe, so they do not become caught in cast lines.

The public can always assist injured marine animals by calling the local Marine Mammal Stranding Network. The Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network hotline number is 1-800-9-MAMMAL (1-800-962-6625).

Immediately report entangled, injured, or dead marine mammals to 1-877- WHALE HELP (1-877-942-5343).

SeaWorld San Antonio’s Animal Rescue Team is on call 24/7 to save and care for injured, orphaned or ill animals. In collaboration with the government and other members of accredited stranding networks,

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment operates one of the world’s most respected programs to rescue ill and injured marine animals, with the goal to rehabilitate and return to the ocean. SeaWorld animal experts have helped more than 28,000 animals in need - ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned - for more than five decades.

Stay connected with us at SeaWorldCares.com and follow us on Facebook,Twitter and Instagram.