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Following seven weeks of rehabilitation, the Sea World team have released a young offshore bottlenose dolphin at Cape Moreton, off Moreton Island, Queensland.

Sandy the dolphin stranded on Moreton Island in early September and after initial attempts by the public to refloat her were unsuccessful, a decision was made in conjunction with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) to take her to Sea World for care and rehabilitation.

Sea World Director of Marine Sciences, Trevor Long said that after an extensive rehabilitation, Sandy’s release was a wonderful result and outcomes such as this are a credit to the outstanding work Sea World does in rescuing and rehabilitating marine life.

Long stated “Sandy was under the constant care of our specialised vet and animal care teams who put her on an antibiotic regime as due to the stranding she had lost considerable weight.

“After seven weeks in our vet centre, Sandy’s health improved and she was ready to be released. We chose to take her back to the Moreton Island area in the hopes she would rejoin with her pod. Once release Sandy swam off strongly in a north-easterly direction.

“We also used this trip to return a rehabilitated Green Turtle and a black-tip reef shark to the Moreton Bay area.

“We are very thankful to have the support of QPWS and would like to thank them for their assistance throughout the rescue, rehabilitation and release of Sandy.”

Commenting on the release, Queensland Environment Minister Dr Steven Miles stated “Sea World staff and QPWS rangers work closely on a range of marine animal issues and the ease with which these challenging logistical operations are undertaken is outstanding.

“It’s an excellent working relationship and I’d like to thank Trevor Long and all his staff at Sea World for their continued support.

“Congratulations also to everyone from QPWS and Sea World for such a great outcome for this lucky lady.”

For more information about the work Sea World does for the marine environment click here to visit the not-for-profit Sea World Research & Rescue Foundation.

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