Is Bridge Construction Keeping Dolphins in River?

According to The Associated Press, it’s assumed that some of the Navesink / Shrewsbury River dolphins may have made it out of the river.

On Saturday, dolphins were seen around the Route 36 bridge (Sea Bright / Highlands). Bob Schoelkopf, co-director of the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, said the animals looked like they wanted to go under the bridge and back out to the open waters of Sandy Hook Bay.

Schoelkopf also stated that some of the young dolphins appeared hesitant to go under the span, where noisy repair work is going on above.

“It looked like they were really trying to get out,” Schoelkopf said. “I have a feeling it might be a problem with the juveniles afraid to go through” the channels under the bridge. They were moving around erratically, and there was some tail-slapping, which is a sign of aggravation,” he said.

With freezing temperatures and parts of the river icing over, federal wildlife authorities now fear the group may freeze to death in the frigid waters like the 1993 Shrewsbury dolphins.

Well now. Nice to see we’re all finally on the same page.

According to the Marine Animal Stranding Station website (click on “Articles” link), the NOAA has rejected help from 4 marine animal groups in Florida which have offered to help rescue the pod. I don’t know what they’re waiting for…

The Brigantine Marine Animal Stranding Station & the NOAA are preparing for a mass stranding scenario, where all the dolphins become distraught and beach themselves. They are prepared for one dolphin stranding, but a mass stranding will be taxing on the rescuers and what limited resources they have. Additional resources will be needed and there are not many facilities that can take more than 2 dolphins at a time.

If bridge construction is to blame, why has the NJ Dept. of Transportation dragged their heels for so long to halt construction to let the dolphins out? Could it possibly take more than a few days?

I can’t give any explanation as to why this wasn’t an option months ago, and even more so why it was never executed. However, here’s how you can contact the NJDOT to voice concern. 

NJ Dept. of Transportation
contact form: http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/contact/
Erin Phalon 609-530-4280

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Or contact Governor Corzine to halt bridge construction so they can leave:
PH: (609) 777-2500

Gov. Corzine online form & instructions http://www.state.nj.us/governor/about/contact/index.html
1. Choose “Natural Resources” from the form drop menu. 
2. Then choose “Fish, Game & Wildlife” from the next drop menu.
3. Fill out form
4. Save dolphins.
5. Feel good.