Rescued dolphin earns his release into bay

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A young dolphin named Octavio, rescued after beaching on Grand Isle six months ago, was released into Barataria Bay Thursday after undergoing extensive rehabilitation.

Officials said the release marks a unique triple victory, the first time a dolphin has ever been rescued, rehabilitated and released all on Louisiana’s coast.

Octavio was fitted with a tracking tag before he was freed, to aid continued future monitoring, said officials with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.


“While this animal is not completely out of the woods, this is a remarkable story demonstrating the success of our strong partnership with Audubon Nature Institute, working together to preserve this species for future generations,” LDWF Secretary Charlie Melancon said. “We are happy to be able to return this animal to the wild in its natural environment today.”

LDWF, the lead agency for marine mammal rescue in the state, along with the Audubon Nature Institute, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service and Chicago Zoological Society’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program said the stranded dolphin’s treatment was a multi-step process, requiring completion of various treatment milestones before release into the wild. Failure to reach any of the milestone could have resulted in a lifetime of humane captivity.

“This is a truly notable event,” said Mandy Tumlin, the Louisiana state stranding coordinator for marine mammals and sea turtles. “Dolphins can be deemed non-releasable for a variety of reasons, such as a medical condition that may hinder their ability to survive.”


LDWF received the call confirming a live dolphin stranding on Grand Isle Beach on Oct. 26, 2015.

Based on initial evaluations, the 6.5-foot-long juvenile was deemed responsive. High water and rough seas associated with Hurricane Patricia likely contributed to his distress.

“It’s unknown how long the animal was on the beach before he was discovered, but that period of time was a definite strain on him,” Tumlin said. “Dolphins are accustomed to buoyancy when in the water, so there is significant strain on their muscles when the animal is stranded and take on their entire body weight.”


Aububon stranding and rescue coordinator Gabriella Vazquez said scientists had only a “short window” to determine whether to risk release after he was found, or to transport him to the Freeport-McMoRan Audubon Species Survival Center (FMASSC) in New Orleans.

“He was lethargic and had short, shallow breaths,” Vazquez said, referring to the day he was reported found. “We attempted a soft release in the surf, but he showed no initiative to swim back into the Gulf.”

The dolphin was transported to FMASSC and made positive progress in the following months of evaluation and treatment. Named “Octavius’’ in an affectionate nod to the Audubon veterinarian caring for him, the dolphin responded well to treatment and was able to swim on his own.


“Octavius showed no signs of abnormal swimming, breathing or diving behavior,” Vazquez said. “Importantly, he had not become desensitized to humans – which is crucial because human interaction with dolphins in the wild can be a problem.”

“Animals can often become dependent on humans for food and other resources following time in rehabilitative care,” Tumlin said. “Dolphins are very intelligent animals. Over time, they can learn to associate humans and boats as a source for food, which is why it is illegal to feed them in the wild.”

After passing a “behavioral test” the dolphin passed an “auditory evoked potential test” administered by Dr. Dorian S. Houser, Ph.D., director of conservation and biological research for the National Marine Mammal Foundation, and showed no signs of hearing impairment.


Finally, Octavius passed medical clearance, including blood work and veterinary examinations, showing no indication of congenital defects or medical issues that would hinder his ability to survive in the wild.

Octavius could be as young as one year or as old as seven, though scientists think he is around 3 years old. Because there is the possibility that he could be a dependent calf – usually between one and two – he is being considered a “conditionally releasable” animal. Both LDWF and Audubon are responsible for stringent post-monitoring protocols outlined by NOAA/NMFS. Staff will be required to monitor this animal in the wild over the next six weeks.

“Audubon and LDWF have been working tirelessly to care for Octavius,” Vazquez said. “While there is still more critical work to be done with post-release monitoring, we have given this animal the best chance for a successful return to the wild.”


Dr. Randy Wells, director of the Chicago Zoological Society’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program said the tag affixed to the dolphin’s dorsal fin allows staff to monitor him in real-time. “The tag allows for satellite tracking as well as radio tracking. Since he could be a younger animal, this type of monitoring is necessary to ensure he is thriving back in the wild,” Tumlin said.

The Audubon Nature Institute works closely with the department as a response partner to collect data about existing populations of animals along Louisiana’s coast and waterways and to assist and support researchers in the conservation of marine species.

“This is one of the latest in a series of successful stranding network rescues across the country,” said Ron Forman, Audubon Nature Institute president and CEO.


The Association of Zoos and Aquariums facilities make up roughly 25 percent of non-governmental response partners. According to NOAA, “Over the last decade, 7,979 marine mammal standings have been reported in the Southeast region with an average of 798 strandings per year.”

“This cooperative group of partners has rescued, rehabilitated and released more than 200 sea turtles and marine mammals since 2010,” Forman said. “It is critically important that we all work together to save animals in the wild.”

“We are particularly grateful to the public who continually assist us with our recovery efforts by reporting these strandings to our department,” Melancon said. “Robert Shannon, the individual who first discovered the dolphin lying beached on its side, likely saved this animal’s life.”


The public can contact LDWF’s stranding hotline at 337-962-7092 or Audubon Coastal Wildlife at 504-235-3005 if an injured or stranded (live or dead) marine mammal or sea turtle is encountered, or report strandings through NOAA’s Dolphin & Whale 911 app on a smartphone. •

Rescued dolphin