A tragic end came for a stranded Risso's dolphin that washed up on Long Island's Albert's Landing Beach last Friday. Despite a concerted response from local wildlife experts and authorities, the dolphin died before it could be saved. NY Daily News reported that the female dolphin, spotted by resident Patrick Hines, appeared "super underweight" and in poor condition by the time rescuers could intervene.
The New York Marine Rescue Center quickly sent two biologists to the scene after being alerted by the East Hampton Town police, the details of which were relayed by The East Hampton Star. Together with Marine Patrol officers and the State Department of Environmental Conservation officers, they attempted a valiant rescue operation. However, the dolphin was too debilitated to endure the rescue effort. "Our number-one goal always is to return these animals back to the wild, but unfortunately sometimes these animals are so compromised that best thing for them is that they die naturally or to euthanize them so that they're no longer suffering," Maxine Montello, the rescue center's executive director, told the publication.
Stranded marine mammals such as this Risso's dolphin represent insights into ocean health and species behavior. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) emphasizes the scientific value of marine mammal necropsies, as they help researchers understand the broader ecosystem and threats the animals face. According to NY Daily News, the deceased dolphin was taken to the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society for a necropsy, in hopes of unraveling the circumstances leading to its death.
Risso's dolphins, identified by the distinctive markings on their body, are more accustomed to deeper waters and rarely come ashore unless in distress. "When we have them in our local waters, really close to shore, it may be an indicator that they're not in great shape," Montello observed in a statement obtained by The East Hampton Star. The unfortunate event, though disheartening, provides researchers an opportunity to learn from the situation and inform public conservation efforts.
The public can assist in these conservation efforts by reporting stranded or injured marine animals to the stranding hotline at 631-369-9829. The hotline is a collaborative effort between the New York Marine Rescue Center and the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society.
