Multiple crews came to the rescue after two dolphins were seen stranded in a shallow-water lagoon near Matlacha on Monday night.
The Lee County Sheriff's Office said its Marine Unit teamed up with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists on Tuesday.
Shallow water boats were used to navigate through mangrove canals and mud flats to find the two dolphins.
According to the LCSO, the lagoon's depth was only 2 feet to 3 feet deep at high tide; LCSO said what made the conditions more difficult was the 2 feet of water or less in the trails leading to open water that prevented the dolphins from escaping.
LCSO's Facebook post said that due to the technical and environmental challenges of trapping, lifting, and moving the two 9-foot adult dolphins, more shallow-water boats and equipment were brought in on Wednesday morning.
MOTE Marine, Brookfield Zoo Chicago-Sarasota, Dolphin Research Program and the Clearwater Aquarium joined LCSO and FWC in the rescue efforts.
The two dolphins were placed on floating boats and pulled through 300 yards of mud and then towed by boat to deeper waters.
According to LCSO, FWC biologists evaluated the dolphins and applied satellite tags before they were released into deeper water in the Matlacha Pass.