On March 31, The Royal Sands had a surprise visitor from the sea, a sick dolphin that had swum into the shallows, possibly in pursuit of fish, and beached itself. We are happy to report that Dolphin Discovery vets have been able to nurse it back to health and it was released back into the wild today north of Isla Mujeres.
Dolphin in the shallows
When the dolphin was spotted on March 31, The Royal Sands lifeguards, guests and employees from the neighboring hotel Casa Turquesa tried to keep it cool and help it. Knowing that dolphins will beach themselves when sick or dying, Royal Resorts staff notified Zofemat and Profepa biologists and Dolphin Discovery, which is part of an alliance to rescue marine mammals to the presence of the mammal. They requested aid for the creature, which was very weak and showing signs of distress.
Dolphin Discovery vets were quick to arrive on the scene and determined that the animal, a female estimated to be around 25 years old, was very ill. The government biologists and vets decided that the best course of action was to transport her to the Tortugranja Park on Isla Mujeres for treatment.
After an examination and ultrasound study, the dolphin was found to be suffering from a serious renal disorder, kidney stones and mouth wounds and was very underweight. In her weakened state she had been unable to keep up with the rest of the dolphin pod and had swum inshore. The initial prognosis was not very encouraging and vets thought she might not survive.
On the Road to Recovery
Once she began to receive treatment, the miracle dolphin named Maya by Dolphin Discovery staff, began to show signs of improvement and to put on weight. Finally, after a month of round the clock care, the vets decided that she had recovered enough to be set free and to eventually find another dolphin pod. A microchip was fitted in order to be able identify and track her at sea.
Sources: Royal Resorts staff, Novedades, Dolphin Discovery
