Dolphin Spends the Night in an Ocean City Lagoon
Scientists say the marine mammal is far from its typical range.
Update 4 p.m. Friday: The dolphin remains in the same spot in the lagoon at low tide on Friday, Feb. 10.
The Marine Mammal Stranding Center of Brigantine on Friday morning is monitoring a common dolphin that has been swimming in a lagoon on the bayside of Ocean City for more than 24 hours.
Unlike bottlenose dolphins, which are found in waters close to shore, the common dolphin typically travels in large groups at least 20 miles offshore.
Brandi Biehl, a field stranding technician with the Stranding Center, said the marine mammal is out of its range and likely very stressed. She warned that the public should not harass or come near the dolphin.
The mouths of many of Ocean City's lagoons are impassable at low tide, but the dolphin did not leave during the overnight high tide. Low tide on Friday is at 4:04 p.m.
Biehl said residents who do see the dolphin should just "admire him from a distance."
__________
Follow Ocean City Patch on Facebook.
Subscribe to our Ocean City newsletter.
Coral
10:12 am on Friday, February 10, 2012
My birthday is next weekend, sea you then!
Allen Fow
10:38 pm on Friday, February 10, 2012
happy birthday, and many more to follow, hope the day is the best of your life.
Gloria
11:11 am on Saturday, February 11, 2012
I hope my son can figure out where this is so my incredible "nature loving" grandchildren can see him! xo Gram