Early last June, a group of 16 bottlenose dolphins took up residence in a river at the New Jersey shore, USA. Then winter closed in, and a little over half made it out alive. Six dolphins have recently appeared in the same river, almost a year to the day later and wildlife authorities are trying to get better photos of the their dorsal fins to determine if these six are part of the original pod.

Volunteers wanted to try and lead last year's dolphins out but NOAA scientists argued the dolphins appeared to be trying to extend the northern range of their winter habitat and should be left alone, even if that meant some died. At least six did, and a seventh dead dolphin found weeks later was suspected of having been part of the pod.

The latest dolphins have been seen doing the same thing as last year's pod - swimming back and forth between two large bridges over the river in Sea Bright.

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