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Woman jumps into water to help distressed dolphin at Mattapoisett Town Beach


Elissa Roberge helps weave a dolphin through the rocks at Mattapoisett Town Beach. (Elissa Roberge)
Elissa Roberge helps weave a dolphin through the rocks at Mattapoisett Town Beach. (Elissa Roberge)
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Mattapoisett Town Beach was the location of a rare and concerning scene last Friday as a dolphin struggled in shallow water.

Acushnet resident Elissa Roberge decided to pass time at the beach and noticed a small crowd of people.

She approached the crowd and noticed the distressed marine animal in the water.

"Natural instincts kicked in and I just decided in my head that if I wasn't going to help him that this poor creature was going to probably die," said Roberge. "So, I jumped in the freezing cold water, and I gently weaved the dolphin through the rocks."

One woman tried but ended up with a bloody foot.

"I saw a woman running out so I decided to help her and by the time I got to her, she was in the distance. She had already tried pushing it out but she was barefoot, so her feet got cut up," said Roberge.

Roberge entered the water fully clothed, with shoes on, to try to get the dolphin further out, thinking it got separated from its pod.

One of the people on the shore captured videos of the attempted rescue, which Roberge later posted on her Facebook page.

The animal lover's social media post made local headlines, catching the attention of locals like Bev Baccelli.

"I first learned about it in the newspaper the next day. It's fascinating how the dolphin was rescued but at the same time it was very concerning because these animals shouldn't be coming onto shore," said Baccelli.

She has lived near the beach for decades, walking her dog Buddy near Prospect Drive. Baccelli said this situation is not normal.

Mattapoisett Natural Resource Officer Thomas Gomes said despite Roberge's best efforts, she did not get the outcome she wanted.

"It [the dolphin] unfortunately did not make it. These strandings only happen when dolphins are sick or injured so they'll come to the shallow water to find some kind of sanctuary so they're not out in the open water where predators will be found," said Gomes.

While some applauded Roberge, others said it is usually best to leave the task to wildlife experts.

"It's one of those things where you have to call NOAA [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] because there are trained response teams," said Gomes. "People to come out and help that actually know the exact way to handle such a fragile animal. I commend the person for doing what they thought was best at the time."

Baccelli said the brave action continues to show how compassionate humans can be.

"I'm ever grateful for anyone who will get wet in February or March to save an animal's life," said Baccelli.

Roberge said she would have jumped in whether to save a human or animal.

She calls it a "crazy experience" that has taught her a lot about animal rescues.

"If people do come across this type of situation that I was in, immediately call your local hotline for your local wildlife resources," said Roberge. "Because that animal may need medical treatment. They can put the animal out in deeper waters. So, it was like a cool learning experience overall, and still, I wouldn't change it for the world."

Gomes said the town of Mattapoisett will update its website with helpful links to wildlife resources, should an incident like this happen again.

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