#marine-mammal-rescue

#marine-mammal-rescue

After receiving a report about the distressed dolphins, staff from the Wareham Department of Natural Resources responded to a part of Beaver Creek off the Weweantic River at about 10:45 a.m. Monday. They found the two animals "alive and active" in the marsh, but low tides had apparently stranded them in shallow waters, according to town officials. The department contacted the International Fund for Animal Welfare, which operates a local marine mammal rescue team.

The sea lion weighed about 200 pounds and appeared to be in poor condition, said Giancarlo Rulli, a spokesperson for the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito. It was reactive and registered the volunteers' presence but was lethargic. The volunteers worked together to corral the animal into a large metal box as a crowd of beachgoers formed to watch the rescue in progress. The crowd applauded once the sea lion was safely secured in the box and the volunteers carried it up the beach.