January 15, 2007
Jennifer McLogan, Reporting
CBS
(CBS) EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. About two dozen dolphins are struggling for survival in the unlikeliest of places, and thanks much in part to the unlikely winter weather. Rescuers in East Hampton have been working to free the mammals from shallow waters, worried they will die from hunger.
Video grab
Following warm water and baitfish in this wacky and warm winter weather, a school of about 30 common dolphons left the ocean swells and made their way into the shallows of Northwest Creek.
Five have died and their bodies were taken to the Riverhead Foundation For Marine Research for examination. What exactly led to the dolphins' deaths is still unknown, and the remaining ones are sluggish and appear to have stopped eating.
"It's sad that some of the have died. We just hope that they get into deeper water," said Colleen Brickman of Sag Harbor.
The Hensler family has come to the creek to watch the dolphins for nearly a week. Their early entertainment has now turned to alarm. "It's amazing. It's absolutely amazing to see them this close, but I'm not sure if it's a good thing because I don't know if they're sick," Brian Hensler told CBS 2.
"It makes me sad, it makes me really worried. I don't want them to beach themselves," added Corey Hensler.
A host of experts are now trying to lure the animals back out into Gardiner's Bay and the deep waters beyond, using -- among other means -- high frequency sounds called "pings" to herd them.
The Department of Environmental Conservation says the mass strandings are the first of their kind here. The next few days are critical because cold weather is coming and that might make them more nervous. If seas get rough it will make rescue attempts impossible.
Too make matters worse, experts say dredging the inlet will take too long and noise may be stressing the dolphins. Since picking them up is dangerous the hope now is that they'll just swim out on their own.
ScientIsts are puzzled by the high number of strandings this winter -- from Boston and Cape Cod to Long Island --nearly 100 dolphins are reported to be at risk.
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