Stranded dolphin released back into Mississippi Sound

A dolphin stranded three weeks ago in Pass Christian has been released back into the Mississippi Sound.

Moby Solangi, president of Institute for Marine Mammal Studies, said the 2-year-old female dolphin was found near Henderson Point, which is outside of its normal habitat.

Workers determined the dolphin couldn't leave the bayou on its own, and the cold water temperatures and low salinity would have harmed its health, he said.

The dolphin was given a satellite tag to track its movement and monitor its survival.

The Gulfport Fire Department's dive team, Department of Marine Resources, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Mississippi State University's veterinary college assisted in the rescue and release.

This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 6:24 PM with the headline "Stranded dolphin released back into Mississippi Sound ."