A Cuban resident in Miami experienced a heart-stopping moment when he discovered a dolphin entangled in a net, struggling to stay afloat in the waters of North Bay Village. Thanks to drone footage and a quick call to 911, authorities were able to locate and free the distressed creature.
The hero of this tale is Ahmed Raúl Pérez, an audiovisual content creator affiliated with the Instagram profile ARPP Air Studio | Drone & Video, Photography Miami. He shared a video capturing the tense moments he and his wife experienced.
The rescue took place this Wednesday in Biscayne Bay and was also covered by the local channel WSVN 7News.
The Discovery of the Stranded Dolphin
It all started when Pérez's wife noticed an unusual behavior from a dolphin outside their apartment window. The animal was barely moving and seemed to be struggling.
Concerned, the couple decided to investigate further. "This was the exact moment my wife realized the dolphin's erratic behavior," Pérez explained in the video he posted on social media.
Drone Investigation and Rescue Call
Pérez then deployed a drone equipped with a 360-degree camera to observe the dolphin from above. The aerial view confirmed that something was amiss.
"I sent up the drone and noticed something unusual; it wasn't moving from its spot. Upon closer inspection, I saw something tied around its tail, preventing it from surfacing and swimming," Pérez recounted.
The situation was dire as the dolphin's tail was trapped, forcing it to exert itself just to keep its head above water. "I quickly told my wife to call the police. We dialed 911 while I continued to monitor it. The poor dolphin was fighting to stay afloat, unable to breathe," he said.
A Successful Rescue Operation
While awaiting the arrival of the police, Pérez kept tracking the dolphin's movements using his aerial recording equipment. He then utilized another drone, a DJI Mavic, to pinpoint the dolphin's exact location, aiding the rescue boats in their search.
According to WSVN, North Bay Village's marine patrol units and the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office arrived within minutes. Despite initial difficulties spotting the dolphin from the water, Pérez's aerial footage was invaluable in guiding the rescue teams.
Other residents also helped by pointing out the dolphin's location to the rescuers. Once spotted, several members of the maritime units entered the water and managed to remove the net ensnaring the dolphin's tail.
The rescue concluded successfully: the dolphin was freed and swam away to deeper waters. Authorities in North Bay Village reported to the local media that the dolphin appeared unharmed.
For Pérez, who had closely followed the animal's plight, watching it swim freely again was an enormous relief. In an emotional statement to WSVN, Pérez admitted he was moved to tears by the successful rescue.
He also shared post-rescue footage showing the dolphin navigating the bay's waters once more. "My expression says it all, but I want to share moments after its rescue," he expressed in the Instagram video.
Awareness and Prevention
This incident highlights the dangers posed by nets, fishing lines, and other gear to marine life, especially when abandoned or lost in the water. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns that such materials can entangle animals' fins, tails, or other body parts, restricting their movement and potentially preventing them from surfacing to breathe.
The federal agency advises anyone who encounters a trapped dolphin to immediately notify specialized rescue services and maintain a safe distance, without attempting to free the animal themselves.
In Florida, such incidents can be reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) at 888-404-3922 or NOAA's regional marine mammal rescue network at 877-942-5343.
A similar event occurred in August 2024, when a lemon shark became ensnared in a fishing line off a Sunny Isles beach in Miami-Dade. In that case, several individuals managed to free the shark and return it to the sea.
FAQs on Marine Life Rescue in Miami
What should you do if you find a marine animal in distress?
Immediately contact specialized rescue services, like the FWC or NOAA, and keep a safe distance without trying to free the animal yourself.
How can drones assist in marine animal rescues?
Drones can provide an aerial view to locate and track distressed animals, helping rescue teams pinpoint their exact location for a more efficient operation.
Why are fishing materials a threat to marine life?
Abandoned or lost fishing materials can entangle marine animals, restricting their movement and potentially preventing them from surfacing to breathe, posing a grave threat to their survival.