Dolphins still stranded near Lamque after rescue attempt fails

Crews from the Marine Animal Response Society in Halifax and Fisheries and Oceans Canada officials are discussing next steps Wednesday after an early morning attempt to rescue six dolphins stranded in a shallow harbour near Lamque, N.B., proved unsuccessful.

"They're not used to being so close to the shore. They're not that comfortable in shallow water," said Andrew Reid, a response co-ordinator for the MARS unit.

"Currently they're in a fairly deep pool of water, soto get them out to open ocean we have to get them through a long shallow stretch and they really don't feel comfortable doing that."

At high tide,MARS crews used metal rods to create noise and vibration underwaterto lure the Atlantic white-sided dolphinsto safety,back into the ocean.

At around 8:30 a.m., it appeared the dolphins were swimming away from the bridge, where they have been stranded for a week.

"You have to make them feel uncomfortable enough that they want to move on. Wesaw tail slaps. There were vocalizations that they weren't necessarily happy," said Reid

"It's to be expected, but the main thing we didn't want to happen was to break them into separate groups. We wanted to keep the entire group together, especially the calves with the mothers."

Several minutes into the rescue, however, the dolphins turned around and headed back.

"They evaded all attempts to herd them out of this area," said Reid.

Officials from MARS and Fisheries and Oceans are now meeting to co-ordinate a new rescue plan.

The "acoustic pingers" crews hoped to use, sound-emitting devices to be hung over the side of rescue boats, have not yet arrived in Lamque.

"There's other more slightly stressful techniques. We could drive the animals ashore if possible and get them into stretchers and slings and move them out that way," said Reid.

"But that's definitely going to be more stressful on theanimal and a little more hard on them."

Reid and the MARS crew knew the rescue would be challenging. To escape, the dolphins must be herded through a kilometre-long, shallow channel. Even with the pingers, the rescue will be difficult.

One dolphin has died since the group was stranded a week ago. Reid is unable to pinpoint a cause of death, but says the other dolphins appear to be in good health.

"From outward appearance, they don't appear malnourished," he said.The dolphins appear to be feeding on striped bass.

The next possible opportunity for rescue is at high tide, at around 7 p.m.It is unclear whether crews will be attempting another rescue at that time.

Fisheries officials believe high tides allowed the dolphins into the harbour. When the tidereceded and water levels fell, the animals were unable to leave the area.