Posted on: Sunday, January 5, 2003

Rescued dolphin remains critical

Advertiser Staff

The 30-pound baby dolphin being cared for at the Marine Corps Base Hawai'i in Kane'ohe is still fighting severe pneumonia and was listed in critical condition yesterday, according to Margaret Akamine, protected species program coordinator for NOAA in the Pacific.

The stranded four-month old female spotted dolphin was rescued on Christmas Day at Poka'i Bay and taken to the Marine Mammal Research rehabilitation facility where it was put under round the clock supervision.

Veterinarians were giving the dolphin injectable antibiotics and oral vitamins after X-rays showed the animal had pneumonia. Despite its illness, Akamine said the dolphin remained bright and alert and was continuing to eat fish and take formula every two hours.