The headline in one Mexican newspaper screamed “¡Heróes!” following their rescue of a beached dolphin in Progreso, Yucatán, this week.
The relatively new Progreso Ecological Police rescue unit responded quickly after receiving an emergency call Thursday afternoon, saying that a dolphin was in the sand along the International Malecón, or beachside promenade.
Reportedly measuring 2.7 meters (9 feet) and weighing 100 kilograms (220 pounds), the dolphin was initially kept alive by the responding Ecological Police officers, then subsequently carried back into the sea by specialized personnel from the Autonomous University of Yucatán (UADY).
All the while, dozens of people surrounded the mammal and the rescue crew to observe the scene.
According to the newspaper Milenio, it’s believed the dolphin ended up on the northern Yucatán beach, on the shores of the Gulf of México, due to the effects of Cold Front 27, which had prompted Yucatán’s Civil Protection to keep all fishing boats and small crafts from heading out to sea from most ports in the area, including Progreso, Celestún and Río Lagartos, the Yucatán Times reported.
The front is expected to generate heavy rains and swells of 1 to 3 meters along the Yucatán coast on Thursday and Friday, the Times reported, according to Mexico’s National Meteorological Service.
The Progreso Ecological Police, formed in 2019, is the first entity of its kind in the state. Under the command of the municipal police department, it was founded with a staff of 28 people — 14 per shift — and two boats, four ATVs, six motorcycles, four bicycles, and video and radio communication equipment.
Much of its mission is geared toward maintaining a clean beachfront and raising awareness about environmental issues. It has the authority to issue warnings or citations, or even make arrests, if someone litters, burns garbage or discharges debris or harmful liquids into waterways or onto the street.
Looks like its personnel are good at saving dolphins too.
With reports from Milenio and ProgresoHoy
