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More Dolphins Stranded In Shallow E. Hampton Creek

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Sep 7, 2007 7:01 am US/Eastern

More Dolphins Stranded In Shallow E. Hampton Creek

12 Others Died In Same Shallow Creek In January

EAST HAMPTON, N.Y. (CBS/AP) ― Three dolphins have turned up in a shallow creek where 12 of the marine mammals died after a weeklong rescue effort earlier this year, and it isn't clear whether officials will try to herd the water-dwelling wanderers back to deeper water this time.

The dolphins were initially spotted Tuesday afternoon in Northwest Creek. Two are adult-sized, one may not be fully grown, and all appear healthy, Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation officials said.

The animals are "common" dolphins, like those that became trapped in the creek and died in January, despite rescue attempts that involved 80 people and succeeded in leading eight other dolphins to safety.

The water is warmer and the dolphins' food more abundant now, and wildlife officials hope the animals will do better this time. East Hampton Town Councilman Brad Loewen said he wasn't disposed to launch another big rescue effort.

"My opinion is that the best thing to do is to leave them alone," said Loewen, a commercial fisherman.

In the meantime, the marine foundation suggested curious residents should try to refrain from dolphin-gazing at the creek.

"Our biggest concern is that the public will interfere and cause these animals undue stress," said foundation biologist Robert DiGiovanni. He noted that would-be dolphin viewers can see one at the organization's Riverhead home.

Common and white-sided dolphins are found year-round in the waters off Long Island and New England. They usually stay about 30 to 80 miles off shore.

A trove of bait fish may have drawn the three dolphins to the creek, marine foundation representatives said.

(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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