Dead dolphin reported in river at Baton Rouge

A dead young dolphin washed ashore in an isolated area along the Mississippi River bank at Baton Rouge, state Wildlife and Fisheries personnel say.

Fisheries division biologist Mandy Tumlin says that in seven years with the department, she's never heard of a dolphin getting so far upriver. She says it might have done so by drafting along the bow of a ship headed upriver or by swimming up during Hurricane Isaac.

Tumlin said a survey crew reported the body Monday near the U.S. Highway 190 bridge. It's estimated at four to five feet long. Adults range from 6 to 12 1/2 feet long.

Tumlin says the site is very difficult to reach by land and may be difficult by boat.

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Online:

NOAA Fisheries about bottlenose dolphins: http://1.usa.gov/Sm9XXh