MONMOUTH BEACH, N.J. — A common dolphin stranded in a bayside creek was euthanized Tuesday after rescuers determined it was too weak to survive, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) said.
The male dolphin was found lying on thick mud in a nearly dry creek near Meadow Avenue. Responders from the Monmouth Beach Police Department, the Monmouth Beach Department of Public Works, and local residents kept the animal comfortable by spraying it with water until the MMSC Stranding Team arrived from Brigantine.
With assistance from Schiavone Construction, crews used a stretcher and forklift to lift the dolphin from the creek and transport it to MMSC’s veterinarian. The animal was underweight, lethargic, and had multiple lesions and abrasions, officials said. The team determined its prognosis was poor, and euthanasia was performed to prevent further suffering.
The dolphin was transported to the New Jersey Animal Health Diagnostic Lab in Trenton for a necropsy. The MMSC said updates will be provided as results become available.