Dolphin spends third day in California wetlands

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (AP) - April 30, 2012 (WPVI) -- A wayward dolphin is spending a third straight day in a narrow wetlands channel along the Southern California coast, under the watchful eyes of wildlife experts.

Peter Wallerstein of Marine Animal Rescue said Sunday that the 6-foot-long, black-and-white common dolphin looks healthy, but appears slightly disoriented.

The dolphin was spotted in a channel of the Bolsa Chica wetlands Friday, circling in shallow waters as crowds grew along the banks and TV helicopters flew overhead.

Wildlife experts on paddleboards managed to coax the animal toward the open sea Saturday, but it was spooked by a pair of fellow dolphins and swam back to the wetlands.

Wallerstein says rescuers might try to herd the dolphin back to the ocean on Monday, but they hope it will find its own way out.

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