Pilgrim
October 15 - 2009 - Copano Bay Dolphin Intervention- “Pilgrim” -
PA857
TMMSN has been tracking a bottlenose dolphin in trouble that has now
come to be known as “Pilgrim” near the Copano Fishing Pier in
Rockport, TX. The monitoring efforts have been consistent since the
first report in late August of a dolphin that was dragging fishing
gear on his tail. In regular observations over the next several
weeks, TMMSN found that the animal approached the Copano pier
frequently in the evenings but during repeated daytime surveys,
Pilgrim did not reveal his location. Conducting a rescue effort in a
body of water this size would typically require a large scale net
capture, however an effort of this nature would not be safe for
personnel to attempt at night.
Frequent photo documentation revealed that the animal was becoming
thin (likely due to the weighted gear) and had limited use of his
tail. NMFS deemed the entanglement as life threatening and approved
a disentanglement effort that did not involve the use of a net. A
small group of TMMSN staff and volunteers were given special
instruction and precautionary limitations by NMFS to limit personal
injury during the operation.
TMMSN launched the rescue Zodiac craft in the water just before dark
on October 13th. The plan was to hook and cut the gear trailing from
his tail with a special disentanglement tool. Like clockwork,
Pilgrim showed up at the fishing pier just before sunset. Our goal
was to act swiftly and quietly so as not to place additional stress
on the animal. After observing the dolphin’s behavior and swim
pattern carefully, staff was placed in the water near the bridge and
within moments Pilgrim presented himself and he was safely secured
by experienced and highly trained staff and volunteers (without the
use of a net).
After the animal and staff were secure in the water, the animal’s
body condition and health were evaluated. The dolphin had two large
entangled masses of gear, seaweed and a decomposing fish (thought to
be a speckled trout from earlier observations)trailing from his
tail, much of which was wrapped tightly around his flukes. The
fishing gear included monofilament line, lead weights, fishing
lures, hooks, beads, and steel wire. All of this gear was impeding
the dolphin’s natural movements and it was carefully removed. After
the gear was removed and a brief consultation with NMFS, Pilgrim was
successfully released back into his wild environment where our hope
is that with a lighter load to carry, he’ll be able to maneuver and
feed naturally. Sightings of Pilgrim since the release have been
consistent with his previous patterns and will likely allow for
effective monitoring.
This rescue effort would not have been possible without the strength
and determination of the TMMSN team and the public to help this
dolphin. Volunteers and locals in the Rockport area spent countless
hours tracking the dolphin's pattern, condition and location in
order to make this a success.
Witnesses reported on October 15, 2009, that Pilgrim appears to be swimming with renewed
vigor with better use of his flukes.
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This fishing gear, including a decomposing speckled trout, which weighs about 1/2 pound when dry, was tangled and embedded in Pilgrim's flukes.
The next day, TMMSN volunteers went back out to the Copano pier and spent some time cutting down loose fishing gear hanging from the bridge, some of which still had fish attached. In a very short period of time a bucket full of gear was filled and the work could seemingly go on for days before all the discarded gear was collected.
Pilgrim is able to catch and eat fish without assistance.
Photo Credit: Drew Scerbo
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