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May 23, 2013 | 03:03 AM
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News: Nation

Dolphin entangled in fishing line freed off Calif.

February 16, 2013 | Modified: February 16, 2013 at 5:45 am
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SAN DIEGO (AP) — A dolphin that got entangled in a discarded fishing line has been freed after an hour-long rescue effort off San Diego.

Lifeguards and SeaWorld animal specialists located the dolphin in the waters a mile off La Jolla Friday after a kayaker reported spotting the distressed animal.

They used a pole to gather the 50- to 100-foot line, then snipped it around the dolphin's dorsal fin.

SeaWorld mammal curator Keith Yip told KFMB-TV the cuts on the fins indicated the line had been rubbing against the 4-feet-long dolphin for weeks. He said the dolphin appeared tired and was probably not able to feed.

Once freed, video shot from a news helicopter shows the young mammal swimming to other dolphins that apparently stayed in the area.