Lost dolphin ends up in river

A common dolphin was in uncommon surroundings yesterday -- swimming in the Fore River, just outside the Braintree Yacht Club, until it exited Boston Harbor with high tide around 3 p.m., according to Tony LaCasse, spokesman for the New England Aquarium.

The aquarium was alerted that the dolphin was in the river late in the morning and volunteer biologists were able to observe the 7-foot-long and roughly 200 pound dolphin from a yacht club float .

The biologists said that the dolphin appeared healthy, other than being slightly underweight, as it was swimming well and its respirations appeared nearly normal.

LaCasse said it is highly unusual for a dolphin to be in the Fore River, or even Boston Harbor. Because dolphins are social creatures and usually travel in groups, it was troubling that this one was alone at a time of year when it should not be so close to shore.

Aquarium biologists were hoping that the dolphin would make it into deeper waters before today's forecasted storm because the shallow water in the harbor would not protect it from violent tides.
The last time a dolphin was reported in Boston Harbor was in 2004.