Dolphin Freed After Getting Caught In Illegal Net In St. Pete: Watch

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A dolphin was freed after getting entangled in an illegal net last week in St. Petersburg, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission wrote in a Facebook post. (Watch a video of the rescue below.)

The agency’s marine mammal response team responding to reports of a dolphin seen in distress under a St. Pete bridge found the animal struggling to reach the surface to breathe.

The dolphin’s tail was entangled in a monofilament net, which was also wrapped around the piling of the bridge, FWC said.

The team acted quickly to pull the dolphin to the surface to allow it to breathe, while others removed the net. The dolphin swam away alive after being freed.

“Thanks to the timely report from the citizen, the dolphin was freed and swam away alive. Had their call been delayed by even a few moments, the dolphin likely wouldn't have had a chance at survival,” FWC said.

Entanglements in nets and other fishing gear are common threats to marine mammals and can cause serious injury or death. After the dolphin’s removal, rescuers determined that the net was likely an illegal gillnet.

Entangled marine mammals can be reported to FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922, so that a trained wildlife official can respond as soon as possible.

Watch a video of the dolphin’s rescue below: