Community Corner

Beached Dolphin Rescued From Longboat Key

The young bottlenose dolphin is suffering from pneumonia and being treated at Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota.

Rescuers are working to stabilize a bottlenose dolphin that stranded on Long Boat Key Wednesday, after it was found near death on a beach.

is asking for the public's help today with donations for the expensive round-the-clock care.

The dolphin is being treated for pneumonia.The public can help care for dolphin by donating now at www.mote.org/hospitalhelp

Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Rescuers believe  the mammal veered off course because of the high winds and rough seas this week. While the dolphin has survived its first 24 hours in the hospital, it remains in critical condition. The bottlenose dolphin is a female, and estimated to be about 3 years old.

She appears to be underweight, at about 170 pounds and 6 feet in length. She was named Edna.

Find out what's happening in Sarasotawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mote dispatched a team that brought the animal to Mote's Dolphin and Whale Hospital where it remains today in critical condition. Mote staff and specially trained volunteers are with the dolphin around the clock.

Caregivers are supporting Edna in the water and allowing her to swim on her own for short periods of time. Edna is in an isolated area, away from public viewing to allow for a stable recovery.Mote was alerted to the stranded dolphin by volunteers on sea turtle patrols who were checking on the welfare of beach nests that were affected by high tides. They notified Mote's marine biologists at about 3 p.m. Wednesday.

How to help:

The public can help care for this dolphin by making a donation today to support the cost of medicines for this sick animal. Donations can be made online at www.mote.org/hospitalhelp or by calling Mote’s Development Office at 941-388-4441, ext. 309.


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