Dom
Hurricane Ike challenged the TMMSN with multiple out-of-habit dolphin rescues and recoveries. Dom was one found in a private hunting lease marsh several weeks after Hurricane Ike pushed a 15' storm surge over most of north eastern Texas and western Louisiana.
Initially, Dom was reported to be in a shallow, narrow roadside ditch with easy access. When the TMMSN arrived, Dom was found to be in a large marsh about 1 mile from the nearest road. Rather than drive 3 hours back to retrieve the TMMSN airboat, the Domaingue brothers that reported the dolphin offered the use of their mudboat.
Using scraps of lumber and debris washed in by the Hurricane, we constructed a makeshift wooden frame to support the closed-cell foam pad where the dolphin would sit during transport. After testing the frame for weight capacity and stability, our team went into the marsh to find Dom.
Click here for a slideshow of more pictures of Dom's rescue and release by the TMMSN
Dom was found wallowing around in a shallow cove in 1-2 feet of water. After a brief round-up by trained TMMSN CCT volunteers, Dom was safely loaded onto the padded mudboat platform, and taken back to the nearest road.
Because Dom was considered to be an "out-of-habit" animal resulting from the hurricane, NMFS gives the TMMSN the option of releasing the animal if it is physically strong enough to survive in the wild. After an examination and consultation with the SE NOAA Marine Mammal Program Stranding Coordinator, the TMMSN was given authorization to release Dom at the beach on the other side of the road from where he was found.
After loading Dom in the truck and driving him 1/4 mile to the beach, Dom was released in chest-deep water in the Gulf of Mexico, where he quickly swam away.
Farewell Dom!