HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — A distressed dolphin was rescued from a rocky shoreline off the coast of Jersey City on Monday. However, despite a quick and compassionate response from local emergency responders, the animal later passed away, authorities said.

The rescue took place near Essex and Hudson streets by the Morris Canal, Jersey City officials said.

According to the Liberty Humane Society (LHS) – which assisted in the rescue effort – its animal response team got a call from a local resident who spotted the marine mammal washed up on the rocks at 3:45 p.m. while walking his dog.

The LHS immediately dispatched an animal control officer to the scene. LHS staff called the Marine Mammal Stranding Center (MMSC) in Brigantine for advice and were told to provide support to the dolphin, keeping it upright so it could breathe and avoid bashing into the rocks.

As the MMSC rushed to the scene, LHS staff contacted the Jersey City Emergency Service Unit to assist with crowd control. Meanwhile, a LHS animal control officer waded into the choppy waters, using a sheet to keep the dolphin secure for more than two hours with the help of Jersey City police.

“I was very worried the dolphin would roll over in the waves and wouldn’t be able to breathe, so I made sure to keep him up and the area around his blowhole clear,” the LHS officer said. “I’ve never been that close to a dolphin before. It was amazing be able to help him.”

Staff with the MMSC arrived around 7 p.m., and within a short time, the dolphin was loaded into a temporary holding tank on their truck. The dolphin was transported to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center’s Brigantine facility, where it later passed away despite continued medical treatment.

A MMSC staff member said the dolphin was young and underweight. A necropsy is underway to determine the cause of death, NJ.com reported.

According to LHS Executive Director Irene Borngraeber, dolphins, whales, seals, and other marine mammals have made a return to New York and New Jersey waterways due to improving water quality.

“It is not uncommon to spot these animals from the Jersey City coastline this time of year,” Borngraeber said. “If you see a marine mammal that appears to be injured or beached please contact the Animal Response Team so we can assess the situation and secure rescue assistance from the appropriate specialists.”

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