DUNEDIN, FL -- A rehabilitated Atlantic bottlenose dolphin released back into the wild on Tuesday was attacked by sharks, according to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
"It's something that you witness, and you don't actually believe that you are witnessing it," said Diane Young, Director of animal care at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
The research team following Dunham said he was swimming fine for about three hours. After that time, a small shark attacked the dolphin and wounded him.
After the first attack, a second shark attacked Dunham. The second shark was an 8 - 9 foot Tiger Shark. After the second attack, Dunham was severely wounded and the team following him had to euthanize him.
"You never know when it's going to happen. It happened today. It's surprised us. It's unfortunate," said Aquarium CEO David Yates. "It's a sad day for our staff, but it is what is it. It's one of those things we can't control."
The fatal attack happened on the South East side of the Dunedin Causeway in the inter coastal.
Dunham was released at the Dunedin Causeway Tuesday morning.
Right after his release, he found two other dolphins to swim with according to the staff at the Aquarium.
Dunham was rescued in December of 2008. He was found at Anclote Key Island emaciated.
CMA provided medical care for Dunham before he was transported to Gulf World Marine Park in Panama City. During his time there, he suffered from pneumonia and severe gastritis. But, after seven months of rehabilitation, Dunham regained his health.
Tuesday morning, Dunham was brought back to the Tampa Bay area to be released, with help from CMA, Gulf World Marine Park and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute.
He was equipped with a VHF transmitter to provide researchers information about his travels.
