Featured Image Credit: SeaWorld
Last week, members of the Georgia Aquarium Conservation Field Station, MyFWC, and SeaWorld Orlando all teamed up to help a dolphin with some serious, life-threatening injuries after being attacked by a shark.
After the 265 lb. sub-adult Atlantic bottlenose dolphin was found in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, it was successfully transported to SeaWorld Orlando’s Cetacean Rehabilitation Facility for further evaluation and rehabilitation. After an initial veterinary exam and treatment, the dolphin was able to swim unsupported at the park’s rescue facility. The dolphin sustained multiple shark bite wounds to her body and right pectoral flipper.
The dolphin is currently at SeaWorld receiving round-the-clock, 24-hour care so it can regain its strength.
You might be asking yourself, “what is a conservation field station?”
Georgia Aquarium Field Conservation Station, located in Marineland, Florida, is dedicated to rescuing and recovery efforts of large marine life in the waters of north Florida as well as research and community outreach. GACFS is a member of the National Marine Fisheries Service Marine Mammal Stranding Network, which allows the Station to work with a variety of government agencies and non-profit institutions in response to large animal strandings or distress calls.
In addition to providing field assistance, GAFCS provides necropsy support, sample collection, and processing.
The team has a pretty impressive resume as well. They have extensive experience with large baleen whales, and with smaller toothed whale species including bottlenose dolphins, manatees and sea turtles.