A group of Atlantic white-sided dolphins is believed to be safe after becoming stranded in the mud near Canning over the long weekend.
The Marine Animal Response Society (MARS) says 13 dolphins were caught in the Canning Aboiteau as the tide went out, leaving them stuck in deep, sticky mud. Executive Director Tonya Wimmer says the area’s steep mudbanks and soft flats made it dangerous for both people and animals.
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- MARS was called to assist in Canning where 13 dolphins became stranded.
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- Mars Volunteers escort dolphins stranded near canning.
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- MARS Volunteers responding to trapped Atlantic white-sided dolphins in Canning
“Luckily, they were still in pockets of water… many of them were upright or at least able to keep getting their head out of the water,” Wimmer said. Overheating can be a serious risk for marine mammals stranded in the summer.
Before MARS crews arrived, local residents waded into the mud to try to help the dolphins reach deeper water. While the effort came from a good place, Wimmer says it was dangerous without the right training and equipment. “They were putting themselves in tremendous risk,” she said.
Once on site, MARS used drones to get an accurate count of the dolphins and assess their condition. With the help of a local marine and dive company, volunteers approached by boat after the tide returned, gently freeing each dolphin and guiding them toward open water.
Wimmer says dolphins often follow fish into rivers at the back of the Bay of Fundy and can get caught out when the tide drops. She’s urging anyone who encounters a stranded marine animal to call the MARS hotline at 1-866-567-6277, rather than attempt a rescue themselves.
MARS accepts volunteers from across the Maritimes to help with marine mammal response and education.
