Last year we reported on the rescue of “Scrappy”, an eight-year-old Sarasota Bay resident dolphin which was entangled in a men’s Speedo bathing suit.  He was first observed with material tightly draped over his back on 6 July 2006.  On 3 August 2006, our rescue team captured “Scrappy”, removed the material, evaluated and treated his wounds, and returned him to the wild. 

Figure 1.  “Scrappy” from a sighting on 31 October 2006, almost three months after his rescue.  The superficial teeth scratches (or “rake marks”) on his body are normal and probably occurred while he was socializing with other dolphins.

      Since “Scrappy’s”  rescue, he has been observed 42 times, apparently without any log-term effects from his poor apparel choice.  He has been observed feeding, traveling and socializing with other dolphins, generally in the deeper waters of Sarasota Bay that he inhabited before his entanglement.  His respiration and diving behavior seem normal and his body condition appears satisfactory.  Unfortunately, we have not had any direct observation of the wounds on his pectoral fins, but can assume from behavioral observations that they have not significantly hindered his ability to forage, interact with other dolphins, or avoid predators.  Support for rescue operations has been provided by NOAA’s Fisheries Service.