Residents near Canning, N.S., came together to rescue a pod of stranded dolphins using ropes, boats, and bare hands after a sudden tide shift on Sunday.
Residents Spot Dolphins in Distress
A peaceful Sunday morning turned urgent for residents near Canning, Nova Scotia, when a pod of white-sided dolphins became trapped in the mudflats as the tide unexpectedly receded. Melissa Pineo and her family were the first to notice the distressed animals near their property, initially captivated by the rare sight.
Quick Response as Tide Leaves Dolphins Stranded
As the water rapidly withdrew, about a dozen dolphins were left struggling in thick mud. Alarmed by the dolphins’ high-pitched distress calls, Pineo’s family and neighbours leapt into action. Using bare hands and makeshift ropes, they tried to keep the dolphins wet and maneuver them toward deeper water.
Community Mobilizes in Unison
Word of the stranding spread quickly, drawing more volunteers from the surrounding community. Local fire crews and residents joined the effort, braving the treacherous mud themselves. Kim Pineo, Melissa’s mother, reached out to emergency services, including 911, to seek additional help as the situation escalated.
Marine Experts Join the Rescue
The Marine Animal Response Society (MARS) responded promptly with equipment and expertise. Tonya Wimmer, executive director of MARS, said they partnered with a local diving company to transport responders and aid in the rescue. The team faced challenges not only in freeing the dolphins but in ensuring volunteers didn’t become stuck in the mud themselves.
Rising Tide Brings Hope
With the return of the tide, conditions improved, and rescuers successfully guided the dolphins into deeper waters using a dive boat. Wimmer noted the animals were disoriented but eventually swam back into the Bay of Fundy. “They’re overheating, and their equilibrium is off,” she explained, “but they were able to return safely.”
A Common Risk in the Region
Wimmer emphasized that such incidents are not unusual in the Bay of Fundy, where fast-moving tides can trap marine mammals searching for food. Dolphins often misjudge the depth of water, becoming stranded during low tide.
Volunteers Reflect with Pride
Despite the physical exhaustion and mud-covered clothes, the Pineo family and other volunteers expressed pride in their community’s efforts. “It was quite an event,” said Kim Pineo. “But they all said they would do it again — even though they’re quite tired and sore today.”
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