Dolphin Calf Washes Ashore At Heckscher State Park

EAST ISLIP, NY — A rare sight recently washed ashore from the Great South Bay.

The Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS)said that a Risso's dolphin calf recently was spotted at Heckscher State Park in East Islip.

"While it is not completely uncommon to find a Risso's dolphin in New York waters, we don't typically encounter them inshore," the society said in a social media post.

This species of dolphin generally prefer pelagic habitats in deeper, offshore waters such as those near the continental shelf edge. This is where they are better able to "showcase" their talent for being deep-diving mammals, as they can dive to depths of 1,000 feet or greater, the society said.

The post also said that AMSEAS has several team members who lead the nation’s first successful release of a juvenile Risso’s dolphin following its rehabilitation.

"We knew this was a young animal due to a few different factors, the first being his size," the post said. "Adult Risso's are typically 8.5-13 feet in length, while this animal only measured about 6.5 feet long."

The coloration is also a big indicator of age, as calves are often dark with little to no scarring on their bodies, like the one pictured here.

Adult Risso's dolphins are light brown to almost white in color and their bodies are often heavily scarred from teeth rake marks made by other dolphins.

If you sight a Risso's dolphin, or any other marine mammal or sea turtle, the society encourages you to email sightings@amseas.org, and to call the NYS Stranding Hotline immediately to report any stranded whales, dolphins, seals, or sea turtles: 631-369-9829