A dog walker in Manzanita, Oregon, filmed herself rescuing a 3‑foot (1‑meter) salmon shark that was stranded and gasping in shallow water during low tide. After her husband didn’t answer, she gripped the shark by the tail and carried it to slightly deeper water, where it regained the ability to push water through its gills and swam away. Dunn, who recently moved from Hawaii, said the ocean keeps her grounded and that helping wildlife keeps her humble.
Oregon Dog Walker Films Herself Rescuing a Stranded Salmon Shark
A dog walker in Manzanita, Oregon, filmed herself rescuing a 3‑foot (1‑meter) salmon shark that was stranded and gasping in shallow water during low tide. After her husband didn’t answer, she gripped the shark by the tail and carried it to slightly deeper water, where it regained the ability to push water through its gills and swam away. Dunn, who recently moved from Hawaii, said the ocean keeps her grounded and that helping wildlife keeps her humble.
14:03, 07.11.2025Environment
Woman rescues beached salmon shark, films the dramatic return to the sea
MANZANITA, Ore. — A quick-thinking dog walker helped save a small salmon shark that had become stranded in shallow water during low tide, filming the rescue on her phone.
Colleen Dunn, who recently moved with her family from Hawaii to Manzanita, was walking her dogs near Nehalem Bay State Park when she spotted the roughly 3-foot (1-meter) shark gasping in a low‑tide channel. She initially thought the animal might be a baby great white and said she was nervous about touching it.
“I was essentially nervous about touching it at all. I have three kids so I didn’t wanna put myself in a dangerous position,” Dunn wrote in a text message.
After her husband did not answer a call from the park office, Dunn gripped the shark gently by the tail and carried it toward slightly deeper water while recording the encounter. Once returned to a deeper channel, the shark was able to force water through its gills and swam away out of view.
Dunn later posted the video and an account of the rescue on a local social media group and said she saw no reports of the shark washing back ashore. She described the ocean as a grounding place for her: watching tides, noticing wildlife and stepping in when a creature needs help keeps her present and humble.
Safety note: While this rescue had a positive outcome, wildlife rescues carry risks. If you encounter stranded marine animals, consider contacting local authorities, wildlife rehabilitators or park staff before intervening. If you do assist, take precautions to protect yourself and the animal.
Facts: the shark was reported to be about 3 feet (1 meter) long, identified as a salmon shark, and was taken from a near‑shore low‑tide area back to a slightly deeper channel where it recovered and swam away.