EASTHAM — Rescuers worked into the night Tuesday to save a dolphin that stranded on Eastham's Boat Meadow Beach. The hard work by volunteers and staff of the International Fund for Animal Welfare paid off as the common dolphin was deemed healthy enough for release, fitted with a satellite tag, and put back into the water at Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown.

This was the eighth dolphin or porpoise rescued in the past four days, according to Brian Sharp, IFAW's director of marine mammal rescue. One common dolphin died Sunday before rescuers arrived. Sharp said the animals were likely following prey into Cape Cod Bay and were close to shore. Extreme high tides in recent days allowed them access to areas that are normally too shallow for them to go. These areas may also be harder to escape as the tide turns, and the corresponding extreme low tides mean a longer route to escape to deeper water.

Three dolphins have been tagged since Sunday. All are transmitting and IFAW will be able to track their movements over the next three to four weeks, Sharp said.