North Bay Village, Fla. – A dolphin that became entangled in a fishing line was rescued on Friday after a local couple used a drone to alert police and give them a clear view of the animal’s location. The swift action of the couple and the rapid response by North Bay Village Police prevented the marine mammal from drowning.

Couple spots dolphin in distress

Ahmed Raul Perez Prieto and his wife were on their balcony when they noticed a dolphin struggling near the water’s surface. The animal appeared to be wrapped in a dark line, making it difficult for it to surface for air. “In that moment I realized something was holding the dolphin down, and with all the weight it wasn’t able to get up to breathe,” Perez Prieto said.

Drone provides critical information

Because Perez Prieto works with drones, he launched one to get a closer look. The aerial footage showed a black fishing line tangled around the dolphin’s tail. The couple immediately called 911, and while waiting for officers, they continued to fly the drone, giving North Bay Village Police a live view of the exact spot where the dolphin was trapped.

Police enter the water and cut the line

North Bay Village Police officers arrived on scene and, using the drone video as a guide, entered the water. Body‑camera footage captured the officers swimming to the dolphin and carefully cutting the rope and line from its tail. Once freed, the dolphin was seen surfacing and swimming away, visibly relieved.

Community gratitude and a reminder

“If the cops didn’t show up when they did, if Natalie didn’t notice when she did, the dolphin probably would not have lived,” Perez Prieto said. He added that the best part of the rescue was watching the animal swim free and stay alive.

The incident serves as a reminder to local anglers and boaters to retrieve discarded fishing gear and to be mindful of wildlife in the waterways. “We hope this rescue reminds anyone fishing in the water to be careful with lines and nets so they don’t endanger animals,” Perez Prieto said.

Police and residents work together

North Bay Village Police Chief praised the community’s role in the rescue, noting that citizen‑reported incidents and modern tools like drones can greatly enhance public‑safety operations. The department encourages residents to report similar situations promptly, as early intervention can be the difference between life and death for wildlife.

This successful rescue underscores the importance of community vigilance, responsible stewardship of the environment, and the effective use of technology in public‑safety efforts.

Original reporting: NBC6 Miami — read the source article.