Two dolphins found themselves in dire straits in a shallow lagoon near Matlacha, Florida, potentially stranded for over a month. Their plight began sometime in October or mid-November, possibly coinciding with high tides from Hurricane Milton or subsequent weather events. Thankfully, concerned citizens noticed the trapped dolphins late Monday night and reported their location deep within the mangroves, sparking a rescue operation the following morning.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office (LCSO) Marine Unit and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologists navigated shallow water boats through challenging mangrove canals and mud flats to reach the stranded dolphins. The lagoon's depth, a mere two to three feet even at high tide, combined with shallow exit routes, prevented the dolphins from escaping on their own.
Initial rescue attempts on Tuesday faced significant obstacles due to the difficult terrain and the complexities of safely handling the two adult dolphins in the thick mud. Reinforcements arrived Wednesday, with the Dolphin Research Program, Brookfield Zoo Chicago-Sarasota, Clearwater Aquarium, and Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium joining the LCSO and FWC. This collaborative effort brought additional equipment and expertise to the scene.
Rescuers carefully placed the dolphins on floating mats and painstakingly pulled them through more than 300 yards of mud and muck to reach deeper water. After a thorough evaluation by FWC biologists, including the application of satellite tags to monitor their movements, the dolphins were released into the deeper waters of Matlacha Pass.
