Mote treats dolphin that stranded on Longboat Key

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium staff is treating a female dolphin that stranded Wednesday afternoon on Longboat Key and remains in critical condition.

Mote’s Sea Turtle Patrol found the dolphin around 3:30 p.m. in the Sarasota County portion of the Key while checking on reports of turtle nests affected by high tides and stormy weather.

Mote dispatched a team that brought the dolphin to Mote’s Dolphin and Whale Hospital.

The dolphin has been nicknamed “Edna” and is estimated to be about three years old. She is approximately 6.5 feet long and 171 pounds.

Edna appears to be underweight and is being treated for severe pneumonia.

Mote asks the public to contact its 24-hour Stranding Investigation Program Pager if they see a stranded or dead dolphin, whale or sea turtle in Sarasota or Manatee counties at 988-0212.

Contact Robin Hartill at [email protected].