TELECOM Digest OnLine - Sorted: Displaced Dolphins Rescued From Open Water

Displaced Dolphins Rescued From Open Water

Valarie Bauman (ap@telecom-digest.org)
Wed, 21 Sep 2005 14:37:00 -0500

By VALERIE BAUMAN, Associated Press WriterWed Sep 21,10:00 AM ET

Marine biologists have rescued the last four of eight trained dolphins
that were swept to sea by Hurricane Katrina.

Before the hurricane hit the coast on Aug. 29, the dolphins were moved
to a pool at the Marine Life Oceanarium that had withstood the
destruction of Hurricane Camille in 1969. Katrina destroyed that pool
and pulled the mammals out into the Gulf of Mexico.

"Three of the dolphins were born at the facility, and had never been
in the wild, compacting our concern for their well-being," said Moby
Solangi, owner and director for the Marine Life Aquarium.

Biologists located the dolphins on Sept. 10 by performing aerial
surveys. They were monitored and fed from boats and four were rescued
within days, but the other four had left the area. They were plucked
from the Mississippi Sound on Tuesday. All of the dolphins have been
reunited.

"I think it's been good news for a lot of people who have had a lot of
bad news lately," said Connie Barclay, spokeswoman for the National
Marine Fisheries Service.

The dolphins appeared to have some large lacerations and were as much
as 100 pounds underweight, said marine mammal biologist Jeff Foster,
who led the rescue. They were very confused about their circumstances
and why they could not find their keepers, as well as hungry.

Despite the injuries, the animals are recovering well and will be
quarantined until experts are sure they do not have any communicable
diseases.

"They are doing great," Foster said. "It's been a confusing thing for
them for sure, but after a day they could settle down and feel at
home."

The Marine Life Oceanarium featured the dolphins doing jumps and other
tricks in programs for tourists.

Copyright 2005 The Associated Press.

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