As Monroe County crews continue working to repair the trail of damage left behind by Hurricane Irma, a Dolphin's life was saved in the Florida Keys.
At around 11 a.m., a homeowner on Sugarloaf Key was working on storm damage to his house when he looked out his window and spotted a porpoise stranded in some mangroves on a flat offshore.
He reported it to the Sheriff's Office and that's when deputies, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, and veterinarians from Dolphins Plus sprang into action.
According to Monroe County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Becky Herrin, they waded out to the stranded female and carried her to deeper water where she swam away.
Dr. Mader, who owns Marathon Veterinary Hospital, said it appears the dolphin had not been stranded too long because she only had minor sunburn visible on her skin. He is hopeful she will be fine, however, if she had remained there long she may have suffered much more sun damage.
The doctor believes the dolphin washed in with one of the recent high tides in the area.
