AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (TMMSN), a nonprofit dedicated to marine mammal conservation, said it recently helped rescue an orphaned dolphin seen swimming alone in a lake on the Texas coast.
TMMSN said the young female dolphin was found land-locked in Power Lake which is located on Matagorda Island, near San Antonio Bay.
“The dolphin, initially observed with her presumed mother about two weeks ago, was discovered alone after the mother was found deceased on the shore,” the organization said.
The rescue was a collaborative effort between TMMSN, SeaWorld San Antonio, Texas Parks and Wildlife, NOAA Fisheries Service, as well as local partners.
“The rescue mission, which required four boats, knowledge and resources from the locals, and experienced teams traveling from Galveston and San Antonio, was a significant logistical effort,” TMMSN said.
After the successful rescue mission, the dolphin was taken to SeaWorld San Antonio to be cared for.
It’s unclear how this dolphin or her mother ended up in the lake, but TMMSN said dolphins may be found in unusual habitats following storms, heavy rain or flooding.
Anyone who sees dolphins in unusual areas was asked to report them to the nearest marine mammal stranding responders. In Texas, call 1-800-962-6625, and throughout the Southeast U.S., call 1-877-942-5343.