A bottlenose dolphin continued to spotted in a New Jersey creek on Thursday while the Marine Mammal Stranding Center in Brigantine finalized an attempt to lure the marine mammal out of the inlet and into open water.
A bystander first alerted the center about the dolphin last Thursday. Officials with the nonprofit believe the dolphin likely followed food into the area and for an unknown reason has not left.
Sheila Dean, the center’s director, told NJ Advance Media the organization is on track to do a rescue attempt ahead of Memorial Day. The center, however, hasn’t revealed details, fearing concerned bystanders may try rescuing the animal themselves, violating federal animal protection laws.
The dolphin, the center said, is swimming in deep water in the creek about 10 feet from a bridge on Hand Avenue. It has no injuries besides small skin lesions likely caused by brackish water, Dean said.
Small crowds have gathered frequently beside the road to visit the animal, describing how it can be seen swimming in a circle.
The center, using two boats, first tried enticing the animal to leave the creek on Saturday. Out-of-state equipment was being brought to the organization for a follow-up attempt. Jay Pagel, the center’s stranding coordinator, told NJ Advance Media earlier this week a net may have to be used if other methods fail.
The creek where the dolphin is swimming leads into the Delaware Bay. Marine mammals sometimes travel up the waterways. A dolphin had to be rescued in 2016 by the stranding center with help from local firefighters.
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Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
