Posted on: Thursday, January 2, 2003

Rescued dolphin responding to antibiotic treatment

Advertiser Staff

A sick baby dolphin remained in guarded condition yesterday at the Marine Mammal Research rehabilitation facility at the Marine Corps Base in Kane'ohe but was responding to antibiotic treatment.

The 4-month-old, 30-pound spotted female dolphin is seeking to touch those caring for her, said Margaret Akamine, the protected species program coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Akamine said the dolphin "is not by any means recovered," but her pneumonia is responding to the antibiotics.

She said the dolphin also is back to eating fish and is taking her formula well.

The dolphin is being cared for by veterinarians and marine mammal biologists with the Hawaiian Islands Stranding Response Group.

The dolphin was found Christmas morning swimming in circles at Poka'i Bay and diagnosed with severe pneumonia.

It appeared to be recovering Sunday, but early Monday morning the dolphin's condition became critical.

It remains unknown whether the pneumonia was the cause of the dolphin's stranding on Christmas Day.