Dolphin Freed After Being Caught in Illegal Net in St. Pete: Watch

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A dolphin has been freed after becoming entangled in an illegal net last week in St. Petersburg, the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission wrote in a Facebook post.Watch a video of the rescue below.)

The agency’s marine mammal response team, responding to reports of a dolphin seen in distress under a St. Pete bridge, found the animal struggling to reach the surface to breathe.

The dolphin’s tail was tangled in monofilament netting, which was also wrapped around the bridge pilings, the FWC said.

The team reacted quickly to bring the dolphin to the surface to allow it to breathe, while others removed the net. The dolphin swam away alive after being freed.

“Thanks to the citizen’s prompt reporting, the dolphin was released and swam away alive. Had his call been delayed by even a few moments, the dolphin likely would have had no chance of survival,” FWC said.

Entanglements in nets and other fishing gear are a common threat to marine mammals and can result in serious injury or death. After removing the dolphin, rescuers determined that the net was likely an illegal gillnet.

Entangled marine mammals can be reported to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922, so a trained wildlife officer can respond promptly.

Watch a video of the dolphin rescue below: