Rescued Dolphin Responds to Treatment

For Immediate Release

Contact:              Robert DiGiovanni  Jr. Foundation Director  (631)369-9840

                        rdigiovanni@riverheadfoundation.org

Rescued Bottlenose Dolphin Responding Favorably to Treatment

 Staff Hopeful for the Release of Dolphin Rescued from a Bellmore, LI Canal

A team of experts from the Riverhead Foundation is pleased with the prognosis of “Seabreeze”, a 9 ft long offshore bottlenose dolphin that was rescued from the shallow, murky waters of a Bellmore canal (only four feet deep) on July 21^st.  The rescue was a community effort involving residents, Town of Hempstead Bay Constables and biologists from the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation. 

Diagnosed with severe gastritis, the then 470-pound dolphin was critically underweight and suffering from dehydration.  Following nearly two months of extensive rehabilitation, the prognosis for Seabreeze is favorable for a future release to the wild.  

Offshore bottlenose dolphins are rarely encountered, as they are typically found seaward of 20 miles and in waters deeper than 1000 feet.  DiGiovanni said that his team has learned from its previous experiences with the rehabilitation and releases of a Risso’s dolphin, bottlenose dolphin and two harbor porpoises. A great deal of information can be obtained from working with these rarely encountered species, and DiGiovanni and his team will begin consulting a range of federal marine mammal experts to begin release plans for Seabreeze who now weighs in at 550 pounds.

Individuals can follow Seabreeze’s recovery by visiting the Riverhead Foundation’s website www.riverheadfoundation.org.   To learn more about how to adopt Seabreeze or any of the other animals rescued by the Riverhead Foundation call 631-369-9840 or visit the rescue center located at the Atlantis Marine World Aquarium in Riverhead. 

The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation is a not for profit organization dedicated to administering New York States’ only authorized Marine Mammal and Sea Turtle Rescue Program. 

Opportunities for the press to view Seabreeze during interactions with staff and feedings are available by calling 631-369-9840 to schedule an appointment.

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