(Oranjestad)—On Thursday, the Aruba Marine Mammal Foundation (AMMF) published an update on their Facebook page regarding the recovery of an injured dolphin named “Charlie.” AMMF is the foundation mainly responsible for rescuing dolphins that appear near the shore, and they have been caring for the injured dolphin day and night.
As the foundation informed, since Monday volunteers and experts have been working 24/7 to give the dolphin a chance to recover. As Aruba Today reported on Wednesday, information received from the Aruba Conservation Foundation indicated that a dolphin had been left behind and was having difficulty staying afloat in the water. AMMF, with support from ACF, was on site where the team took turns carrying the dolphin.
AMMF reported that they are now feeding the dolphin and that fortunately it is responding well. The foundation emphasized that their current focus is the dolphin’s wellbeing and that they will continue to provide updates throughout the recovery process.
As ACF urged in their Tuesday publication, AMMF continues to stress the importance of ensuring a calm and disturbance-free environment, emphasizing that this is critical for the dolphin’s recovery. Therefore, the organization repeated its appeal for the public to maintain a respectful distance. According to their explanation, the group of dolphins is still in the area and any unusual activity could cause panic and stress, and could negatively affect both the rescue efforts and the animals’ safety.
At the same time, the foundation is urging authorities to cooperate. Since dolphins are species protected under Aruba’s laws, the support and efforts of the authorities are extremely important, the foundation emphasized.
Clarifying misinformation
Besides their tireless work, AMMF also had to take time on Thursday to clarify misinformation circulating on social media. Various individuals and media outlets had been spreading false information regarding Charlie’s condition. Some have been saying how the dolphin died, while other claims circulating stated that the dolphin had returned to the sea and reunited with the other dolphins, and that there were nearly 100 dolphins in different groups. All of this is false.
AMMF clarified that the dolphin is alive, recovering, and that volunteers and experts are still caring for the mammal. The foundation also condemned the mockery spreading on social media and called it harmful to the efforts of the team that has been working day and night since Monday to give Charlie the best possible chance of fully recovering.
In Charlie’s case, keeping the public properly informed is critical for the dolphin’s recovery, and misinformation is something that can easily weaken AMMF’s efforts in this rescue operation. AMMF assured that all official updates regarding Charlie will come from AMMF first.
AMMF is asking the community to prioritize the wellbeing of the dolphin currently recovering and not to disturb or harm the creature.
ACF gave several tips on Tuesday, among them for people to keep their distance, avoid causing disturbances with noise, drone use, or large crowds. It is also advised to avoid the affected area as much as possible and respect the instructions of responders on site.
This way we can ensure that the dolphin can recover as quickly as possible and reunite with its group.
