PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — A Pasco County Sheriff’s Office deputy aided in the rescue of a dolphin calf in the Gulf of Mexico this week.

According to the sheriff’s office, the days or hours-old dolphin calf was alone in the water and in distress when an off-duty deputy came across it in the Gulf waters off Hudson.

The deputy, who authorities did not name, discovered the tiny dolphin swimming in circles and struggling to get above water to breathe. 

He contacted the Sheriff’s Office’s Maritime Operations Unit, who responded and took the dolphin about 30 minutes south to Clearwater by boat to meet at Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Ultimately, the young dolphin was transferred to the care of SeaWorld Rescue by Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

SeaWorld Rescue says that while the male dolphin is still in critical condition, he is showing signs of improvement and swimming on his own.

Watch the full video of the rescue below (language warning):