Clearwater Rescue Team Asks Public Not To Interfere With Entangled Dolphin, Calf

CLEARWATER, FL — A rescue team with the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is asking the public to not make any attempts removing gear off an entangled mama dolphin in the Clearwater area, a news release said.

The team has been monitoring the dolphin with her calf for the last few weeks. The Aquarium has received multiple reports of people trying to release the gear.

"These attempts will add additional stress to the animals and has potential to harm both the animal and human," CMA staff said. "Please protect yourself and the animal by giving them space and contacting your local standing organization, like CMA. Our hotline is available 24/7 at 727.441.1790."

The mom is known to multiple ID programs as CMA2119 and they are monitoring her and her calf daily. The entanglement is not life threatening at this point so intervention has not been deemed necessary, according to CMA. All direct observations show normal swimming and foraging behavior from both her and the calf, with no immediate concerns for her mobility or ability to hunt, CMA staff said.

CMA is also reminding the public that any intervention to marine mammals must be authorized by NOAA, and any attempts to disentangle them is illegal under The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. Penalties could be a maximum fine of $500 and/or imprisonment for up to 60 days.