Dolphin rescued in San Pedro recovering at SeaWorld San Diego (California, USA)

Photo : Los Angeles County Fire Department, Lifeguard Division

Risso’s dolphin stranded on rocky beach.

December 14^th, 2014. SAN DIEGO – An 8-foot Risso’s dolphin that was rescued in San Pedro is recovering at SeaWorld San Diego’s Animal Rescue Center.

Veterinarian Hendrik Nollens says the male dolphin, which is estimated to be about one year old, is in critical but stable condition.

The malnourished dolphin is unable to dive or swim on his own and was using a life jacket that keeps him upright at the water’s surface. Rescue team members applied sunblock on the dolphin to keep his skin from burning and drying out.

Jody Westberg, who is with SeaWorld’s rescue team, says they have an opportunity to learn a lot about the dolphin.

“We can help conserve not just the species, but the ecosystem they live in and the food that they feed on,” Westberg said. “This is a really important animal that we rescued and the fact that we have the capability to potentially rehabilitate it and return it to the wild … it is something really important for its species.”

The dolphin was stranded on a rocky beach in San Pedro Saturday morning. Los Angeles County lifeguards had to lift the dolphin off the beach and poured water over it until experts arrived.

Update 12/16/2014 : the dolphin has died…

Dolphin rescued in Long Beach dies at SeaWorld (link)

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