Photo by: Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network
Last Saturday, the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN) received an unusual call about a dolphin stuck in a shallow lagoon in Bluffton, South Carolina. At first, it was hard to believe, the location pin showed the middle of a neighborhood, far from any open water.
After reviewing video footage sent in by a concerned resident, the team confirmed the report was real. A female bottlenose dolphin had swam into the area during a period of excessive rainfall and unusually high tides. When the water receded, the dolphin became trapped in just a few feet of water, blocked in by shallow banks, fallen trees, and other debris.
The dolphin, later identified as “Lucky,” is well-known to researchers at the University of South Carolina Beaufort. She is regularly seen in the May River and is part of a local population monitored by marine biologists.
Upon receiving the call just after noon, LMMN deployed a team from Charleston that included Executive Director Lauren Rust, stranding responders Tracy Kowalczyk and John Kane, and longtime Hilton Head-based volunteer Amber Kuehn. The Bluffton Township Fire District also joined the effort to ensure a safe and efficient rescue.
When the team arrived, they assessed Lucky’s condition and the challenges of the terrain. The rescue wasn’t easy, Lucky, measuring about 7 feet long and weighing an estimated 400–500 pounds, had to be carefully guided onto a marine rescue tarp. From there, responders carried her approximately 75 feet.
Following a brief on-site health evaluation, Lucky was deemed alert and in good shape. The team then transported her to a secluded dock for a secure release. Once back in the deeper waters of the May River, Lucky swam away with strength and vitality, fully aware and eager to rejoin her pod.
This successful rescue was made possible thanks to the quick thinking of local residents, the dedication of LMMN staff and volunteers, and the support of the Bluffton Township Fire Department. This is just another example of how teamwork and community awareness can make all the difference for South Carolina’s marine wildlife.
