Police and Melbourne Zoo experts have rescued a stranded dolphin from shallow water in Port Phillip Bay.
Water police were called to Greenwich Reserve at Williamstown just after 4pm yesterday to help the animal.
Staff from Melbourne Zoo had requested police help to get the dolphin to safety.
Mark Keenan from the zoo's Marine Response Unit said the dolphin was likely foraging in the bay when it got stuck.
"We had as super, super low tide yesterday so it sort of got stranded on the outgoing tide," he said.
A member of the public called it in, initially believing it was a mother and her calf, but Mr Keenan said there was only one dolphin stranded.
Rescuers found the dolphin thrashing in deep mud which was blocking its blowhole and ability to breathe.
"It was really stuck. We tried to get a stretcher under it so we could lift it slightly off the mud and move it into water where we could stand and support the dolphin and keep its blowhole clear," he said.
Mr Keenan said the dolphin was so tired it couldn't right itself to move into deeper water.
The rescuers took the dolphin further out using a sling and allowed it to recover some energy before releasing it.
"Everyone was so, so happy."
Leading Senior Constable Tony Christensen said water police were happy to help zoo staff with the rescue.
"It was a privilege to be involved in the rescue of such an amazing creature," he said.
"Our members often see dolphins in the bay during patrols and it's great to see this one back where it belongs."
