Uploaded January 2016 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago
On Thursday, June 6, 2013 the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation was alerted by the USCG Fire Island that a large dolphin was struggling on a sandbar just south of Oak Beach on Jones Beach Island in Babylon, New York.
The team was transported to the site by U.S. Coast Guard Fire Island to rescue Roxanne, the 9 foot adult female Risso's dolphin, who was later found to be struggling from dehydration and gastric bleeding. They transported her via stretcher to a nearby residential beach. The approximately 600 pound dolphin was then loaded within a rescue vehicle and transported to the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead, New York. This is the place that Roxanne, the very special Risso's Dolphin, has called her home until her release back to her ocean home.
Roxanne ate over 75 pounds of squid each day, and interacted with staff along with her enrichment devices.
Unfortunately, this past winter was the largest cold-stunning season that the Riverhead Foundation has experienced and funding has been drawn to a minimum. Roxanne required a team of eighteen animal care members, a crane, a transport truck and a vessel that carried her offshore.
Additionally, Roxanne was given a satellite tracking device, in order to provide data on where she travels after her release. These efforts are extremely costly and requires additional funding to complete.
The Riverhead Foundation rehabilitated and released the first Risso's Dolphin on record in 2005. Now, it's Roxanne's turn!
More Background Information on Roxanne: Risso's Dolphin is a large dolphin species frequently found offshore along the steep shelf-edge habitats between 400-1000 meters deep. They are characterized by a bulbous head and coloration, which although dark gray to brown when young, changes dramatically with age. As they mature, they lighten and the majority of their skin is marked with linear white scars. Risso's dolphins feed predominately on squid.
To find out more about what to do if you should encounter a marine mammal or sea turtle: Call us at (631) 369-9840 or our 24-hour hotline at (631) 369-9829. For other rescues and what the Riverhead Foundation does,visit riverheadfoundation.org.
On Thursday, June 6, 2013 the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation was alerted by the USCG Fire Island that a large dolphin was struggling on a sandbar just south of Oak Beach on Jones Beach Island in Babylon, New York.
The team was transported to the site by U.S. Coast Guard Fire Island to rescue Roxanne, the 9 foot adult female Risso's dolphin, who was later found to be struggling from dehydration and gastric bleeding. They transported her via stretcher to a nearby residential beach. The approximately 600 pound dolphin was then loaded within a rescue vehicle and transported to the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead, New York. This is the place that Roxanne, the very special Risso's Dolphin, has called her home until her release back to her ocean home.
Roxanne ate over 75 pounds of squid each day, and interacted with staff along with her enrichment devices.
Unfortunately, this past winter was the largest cold-stunning season that the Riverhead Foundation has experienced and funding has been drawn to a minimum. Roxanne required a team of eighteen animal care members, a crane, a transport truck and a vessel that carried her offshore.
Additionally, Roxanne was given a satellite tracking device, in order to provide data on where she travels after her release. These efforts are extremely costly and requires additional funding to complete.
The Riverhead Foundation rehabilitated and released the first Risso's Dolphin on record in 2005. Now, it's Roxanne's turn!
More Background Information on Roxanne: Risso's Dolphin is a large dolphin species frequently found offshore along the steep shelf-edge habitats between 400-1000 meters deep. They are characterized by a bulbous head and coloration, which although dark gray to brown when young, changes dramatically with age. As they mature, they lighten and the majority of their skin is marked with linear white scars. Risso's dolphins feed predominately on squid.
To find out more about what to do if you should encounter a marine mammal or sea turtle: Call us at (631) 369-9840 or our 24-hour hotline at (631) 369-9829. For other rescues and what the Riverhead Foundation does,visit riverheadfoundation.org.
