Injured dolphin is first one found alive on Mississippi Coast in 2020, IMMS says
Typically when Moby Solangi is called to retrieve a dolphin from a Coast beach, the dolphins are dead. But Friday’s call from Long Beach was different, this dolphin was still alive.
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) has recovered 48 dead dolphins, but this is the first recovery of a live dolphin on the Mississippi shore in 2020. The live discovery, which typically only happens about once a year, will play a key part in IMMS’ study of the effects of the openings of the Bonnet Carré Spillway.
The spillway was opened for a historic third-consecutive year in April. The longest opening in the spillway’s history in 2019 killed oyster beds off the Coast and was blamed for deaths of dolphins, sea turtles and other aquatic life due to the reduced salinity levels.
“Dolphins are like a black box. They store information,” said Solangi, president and director of IMMS in Gulfport said. “Because they are a top predator, we are able to figure out what happened in their environment and their life.”
After a physical examination, a large wound and scratch were found on the left side of the dolphin, but the cause of the gash is not yet known.
“Often times, they are bitten by sharks and debilitated. What is fascinating about her is that she was pre-debilitated; she is thin. So, we know that she has not eaten well for quite a while,” attending veterinarian Debra Moore said.
A blood test on the dolphin showed that it is anemic, but all the details will not be known until blood samples are returned.
The dolphin is being cared for in the special quarantine area at IMMS. If it can make a full recovery, the dolphin will be released into the Mississippi Sound.
