News Summary
A bottlenose dolphin named Lucky was rescued from a shallow lagoon in Bluffton after becoming stranded. Community members and local authorities collaborated for a successful operation. Firefighters assisted in guiding the dolphin back to safety, highlighting the importance of marine mammal rescue efforts. Lucky was identified as a resident of the area, and her case underscores the environmental challenges faced by marine life. The public has been urged to report any marine mammal in distress to ensure their safety.
Bluffton, SC – An 8-foot bottlenose dolphin named Lucky was successfully rescued from a shallow tidal lagoon in the Bluffton-area Hampton Lake community on Saturday, July 12, 2025. Lucky, who weighs between 400 and 500 pounds, became stranded as water levels receded in the lagoon, which typically has only 2 to 3 feet of water depth.
Lucky was discovered in distress around 10:30 a.m. by a passerby, who alerted a neighbor. This neighbor subsequently contacted the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN) for assistance. The LMMN received the distress call at approximately 12:15 p.m. and mobilized a rescue team from Charleston to address the situation.
Upon assessing the scenario, Amber Kuehn, a local sea turtle expert and volunteer with LMMN, recognized the need for additional assistance to effectively rescue the dolphin. She reached out to the Bluffton Township Fire District (BTFD) for more manpower around 3:45 p.m. This marked the first time the Bluffton Fire Department engaged in a rescue operation of this nature.
Firefighters, trained in technical water rescues, arrived on the scene shortly after 4 p.m. Their initial strategy involved attempting to corral Lucky using a specialized marine rescue tarp. At first, Lucky swam deeper into the lagoon, but the rescuers managed to successfully guide her onto the tarp.
The rescue team transported Lucky approximately 75 yards through the shallow water and up a steep embankment. To facilitate her safe return to the water, they placed her onto a utility trailer. Around 6 p.m., she was released into the deeper waters of the May River.
Lucky was identified by her unique dorsal fin markings, confirming her status as a year-round resident of the river. Researchers from the University of South Carolina-Beaufort had tracked her activity, noting that she has had three calves during her time in the area. Luckily for Lucky, she was alone at the time of her stranding, which meant that no calf could have followed her into the drainage ditch.
The successful rescue highlighted the essential collaboration between community members and local authorities during marine mammal rescue efforts. The Bluffton fire department has urged the public to call 911 if they encounter a marine mammal in distress. They emphasized that only authorized personnel should respond to these urgent situations to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals.
This incident serves as a reminder of the challenges marine life can face due to changing environmental conditions, including the risks posed by storms and rising tides. Lucky’s case underscores the continuous need for awareness and preparedness in protecting local wildlife.
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Additional Resources
- Island Packet: Dolphin Rescue
- Wikipedia: Dolphin
- WTOC: Dolphin Named Lucky Rescued
- Google Search: Dolphin Rescue Bluffton SC
- WJCL: South Carolina Dolphin Rescue
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Bottlenose Dolphin
- Post and Courier: LMMN Contributes to Dolphin Rescue
- Google News: Dolphin Rescue Bluffton
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
