Updated at 11:35 a.m., Friday, January 3, 2003
Dolphin not out of the woods yet, rescuers say
By Mike Gordon
Advertiser Staff Writer
The 4-month-old, 30-pound spotted female dolphin remained in guarded condition at the Marine Mammal Research rehabilitation facility at Marine Corps Base Hawai'i in Kane'ohe, said Margaret Akamine, the protected species program coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
"She is bright and alert," Akamine said. "She is swimming freely and feeding on fish and formula. She is showing interest in objects in her hospital pool."
But problems remains, she said after speaking with veterinarians.
"Her respiration is still stressed from the pneumonia and she remains in guarded condition with a 24-hour watch," Akamine said.
The dolphin was found Christmas morning swimming in circles at Poka'i Bay. It is being cared for by veterinarians and marine mammal biologists with the Hawaiian Islands Stranding Response Group.
