Watch CBS News

Riverhead Foundation Rescues Dolphin From Sandbar Near Oak Beach

OAK BEACH, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A dolphin has been rescued from a sandbar off the southern shore of Long Island.

The Risso's dolphin is a 9-foot, 600-pound female. Staff from the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation made the rescue Thursday near Oak Beach with help from the Coast Guard.

Foundation rescue program director Kimberly Durham said the dolphin will be closely monitored. It is being treated for dehydration and gastric bleeding.

According to the group's Facebook page, the dolphin is now swimming on her own within the hospital tank at the Long Island Aquarium.

It's the second Risso's dolphin recovered by the program in two weeks.

An adult female was found in the Hudson River 26 miles north of Manhattan. It later died of what officials believe is starvation from plastic bags blocking her stomach.

Last month, two dolphins were spotted in the Hudson River just off the pier at Inwood Hill Park. A bottlenose dolphin was also spotted in March in the East River near 96th Street.

The Riverhead Foundation has reported more than four dolphin sightings in New York City since 2010.

Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com:

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.