ORLANDO, Fla. – A dolphin nicknamed Sharkie has been released back into the Atlantic Ocean after four months of rehabilitation following a shark attack.
The 265-pound Atlantic bottlenose dolphin has been treated at SeaWorld Orlando's Cetacean Rehabilitation Facility since her February rescue on Ponte Vedra Beach.
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According to a statement from SeaWorld, the female dolphin had suffered multiple shark bites to her body and right pectoral flipper. The marine mammal also was emaciated and suffering from pneumonia.
After months of round-the-clock care, Sharkie was deemed well enough for release back into the ocean. She was fitted with a satellite tag before being released Thursday in the waters off St. Augustine.
Florida wildlife officials and members of the Georgia Aquarium Conservation Field Station assisted in the dolphin's rescue and release.
Rescued Bottlenose Dolphin "Sharkie" Returns to Ocean | SeaWorld Orlando"Sharkie," the bottlenose dolphin who was rescued with multiple shark bite wounds has been successfully returned to the ocean! #SeaWorldOrlando along with Georgia Aquarium, NOAA Fisheries Service and MyFWC returned the dolphin yesterday after four months of rehab and recovery. She is now back in her home off the coast of St. Augustine. 🐬 #GeorgiaAquarium #FWC #NOAA #Sharkie #SeaWorldRescue
Posted by SeaWorld Orlando on Friday, June 29, 2018