PASCO COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — A newborn dolphin was given a second chance at life thanks to the quick thinking of an off-duty deputy.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office’s said the mission of its Maritime Operations Unit “is to make sure all are safe on the water. On May 10, MarOps corporals were called to assist a different resident: A dolphin calf.”

Officials said an off-duty deputy was fishing off the coast of Hudson when he discovered the hours-old dolphin alone and in distress. The deputy called PSO’s MarOps unit which rushed the dolphin 30 minutes south to meet with members of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

The young dolphin was ultimately transferred to SeaWorld Rescue, which says the male dolphin is still in critical condition. Since its rescue, the dolphin is showing signs of improvement and swimming on his own.

“We’re proud of the swift actions of our deputies, both on and off duty,” the sheriff’s office said. “If you come across an animal in distress, notify the proper authority immediately and keep an eye on the animal from a distance to help responders locate it.”