Veterinarians from Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos Save the Life of a Dolphin Caught in a Fishing Net

San José del Cabo, Baja California Sur, December 6^th, 2021.- Veterinary experts from Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos, in coordination with the Federal Attorney for Environmental Protection (PROFEPA), assisted a dolphin that was found in the sea with his tail fin entangled with a fishing net.

On November 8th, Dick and Debbie Gebhard, residents of San José del Cabo, found the dolphin while they were sailing. After releasing him, they realized that the mammal was not swimming and remained floating, so they decided to put him on their boat and immediately notified PROFEPA, an institution that, in turn, requested the intervention of Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos to rehabilitate the specimen.

Once in safekeeping, Dolphin Discovery and PROFEPA’s veterinarians conducted a thorough inspection of the specimen and determined that it was a male dolphin, approximately 3 years old, of the Tursiops Truncatus species. After cleaning his wounds and hydrating him, the doctors collected blood samples, extensive tests, X-rays and took samples of the affected area.

The results determined the severity of the laceration of his tail fin and, with the authorization of the authority, the doctors decided to start antibiotic therapy and perform a complete amputation of the limb to save his life.

“The tail fin did not oxygenate blood and was necrotic. Likewise, the injury involved at least 7 vertebrae and several exposed bones. In addition, the area was beginning to become infected and the specimen was dehydrated, so the amputation of the limb was inevitable and the best option to save the life of ‘Dicko’, as we have decided to call him, in honor of his rescuer Dick Gephart”, said Dr. Roberto Sánchez, Veterinary of The Dolphin Company.

Dicko is in rehab and ongoing medical evaluations; healing in the affected area, as well as the implementation of a leisurely eating scheme.

In this sense, last Tuesday, November 30^th, Dicko was transferred to Dolphin Discovery Los Cabos, to continue with his rehabilitation. Veterinarians and marine mammal specialists will continue to monitor the health status of the specimen and make the best decisions to increase his quality of life.

Dr. Sánchez also added: “It is a shame that the pollution of our seas reaches the point of injuring an animal and jeopardizing its life, so we must all understand that our actions have serious consequences for our planet and the fauna. The story of Dicko is similar to Winter’s, a female dolphin who was rescued in Florida, United States, who also lost her tail fin after having become entangled in the ropes of a crab trap and who had to receive a prosthesis that allowed her swimming properly, as documented in a movie of the same name. Stories like Dicko and Winter shouldn’t keep happening. Dicko will now be in our care and we will do everything in our power to ensure his well-being”.

Dolphin Discovery has several national and international certifications from institutions such as the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA), the International Association of Marine Animal Trainers (IMATA) and the American Humane, which, together, guarantee the safety and well-being of the specimens that live in their care. In addition, it is a member of the Mexican Association of Habitats for the Interaction and Protection of Marine Mammals (AMHMAR) and the Stranding Network, with whom he has worked shoulder by shoulder in the rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of many specimens of several species of animals.