MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii -- A four-month-old spotted dolphin stranded Christmas Day at Pokai Bay, Waianae, was finally put to rest Jan. 5 after a weeklong fight with pneumonia at the Marine Mammal Research Rehabilitation Facility aboard MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay.
Her critical condition had elevated since Jan. 3, and by the 5th, she had become weak, disoriented and unresponsive, finally being unable to swim.
Veterinarians, biologists and volunteers offered all possible medical treatment and decided that for humane considerations it was best to euthanize the dolphin.
The dolphin's condition began to go downhill in the evening on Dec. 29, and subsequently became critical. The dolphin appeared to be battling a case of severe pneumonia.
Veterinarians administered emergency care, including antibiotics to fight the infection associated with the infection pneumonia.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA Fisheries) spotted the animal close to shore in the early morning hours of Christmas day. They monitored her throughout the day, finally determining her inability to survive on her own.
They placed the calf in a holding pool at Waterfront Operations aboard K-Bay, and gave her round- the -clock care administered by staff and volunteers of the National Marine Fishery Service and NOAA.
The calf was fed a nutrient-enriched formula called Zoologic (a milk-replacement solution) manually through a tube that was passed into the calf's stomach.
Dr. Gregg Levine, a veterinarian and volunteer for NMFS, said volunteers took six-hour shifts throughout the day and night, monitoring her vitals, swim pattern and respirations.
"Most of these stranded animals do not survive; it depends on their age and disposition. But that does not mean we don't still try," said Marlene Breese, a research specialist for the University of Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.
Veterinarians will conduct investigations to learn more about the dolphin's illness.
The Christmas day rescue of the dolphin was made possible through the tremendous collaborating efforts of government agencies and volunteers.
The science and relationships derived from this cooperation will help further benefit dolphin studies.