Dolphins were among the casualties of the powerful Hurricane Hermine. The hurricane is said to have pushed dolphins into shallow waters. Rescue teams found eight dolphins on the beach in the Florida Keys.
Five spinner dolphins were rescued on Saturday, while on Monday, another three stranded dolphins were found in Florida Bay. All these dolphins displayed symptoms of severe dehydration. They also suffered from second and third-degree burns after being exposed to the sun for a prolonged duration of the time.
Dolphins Plus Marine Mammal Responders (DPMMR) stated that they also found one spinner dolphin in a Conch Key canal in the Middle Keys. Rescuers guided the dolphin back to the ocean.
Out of five spinner dolphins found on Saturday, two were sent to the Sea World in Orlando for treatment. However, one dolphin died while another one is said to be in critical condition. The remaining three had to be euthanized as their condition was too deteriorated.
Three dolphins found in the north of Islamorada in Everglades National Park on Monday were sent to Key Largo. According to WPTV, all three dolphins are in critical condition. The DPMMR has urged the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to carry out an aerial survey to locate other marooned dolphins as there are several other reports indicating that a large number of dolphins may still be stranded.
Dolphins are a deep water species. Their chances of survival in shallow waters are very low. Therefore, they must be rescued and sent back to deep water. Hurricane Hermine sent some of these dolphins into shallow waters when it hit the Gulf of Mexico.