A stranded dolphin on the beach cannot swim on its own back to the sea, and while it's tempting to help it get back to the water, it's best to leave it alone. Dolphins and whales typically get stranded because they are either injured or suffering from an illness. The best thing to do is ask for help from the experts and leave them alone.
However, in an unfortunate incident in Texas, one whale died because the people chose to ride on the struggling animal instead of getting help.
A dead dolphin lies on a beach of the Atlantic Ocean near Lacanau, southwestern France, on March 22, 2019.
Texas Wildlife Group Slams Beachgoers for Harassing Beached Dolphin
The Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (TMMSN) slammed beachgoers who harassed the dolphin rather than help the stranded animal to get back to the ocean, Daily Star reported. Unfortunately, the dolphin died after tourists decided it would be more fun to try and ride it than get help.
The dolphin is said to be alive when it became stranded on Quintana Beach in the southern part of Houston on Sunday evening, April 10. But beachgoers attempted to swim with and ride the sick animal. The group claims that this harassment caused the death of the marine mammal even before rescuers could arrive on the scene.
"This type of harassment causes undue stress to wild dolphins, is dangerous for the people who interact with them, and is illegal - punishable by fines and jail time if convicted.," the wildlife group said in a scathing Facebook post.
Moreover, they reminded locals that anyone who comes across a whale or dolphin is prohibited from interacting, feeding, and harassing them under the Marine Mammal Protection Act as this could land them foul of the law and will be fined around $13,000 and one-year imprisonment.
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What to Do When Dolphins or Whales Get Stranded on the Beach
The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies said that the rule of thumb when seeing a beach marine mammal is to leave them alone until help arrives. Moving them could cause further damage if they are already injured. Although, it is allowed to help the dolphin hold its blowhole above water.
Furthermore, it is not advisable to push the animal back into the water. It is important to note that the animal might have been stranded because it was sick, so protecting oneself from possible infectious diseases is a priority.
Do not let anyone touch them until experts arrive to reduce stress on the dolphin or whale. Also, keep pets away from the animal and refrain from touching them as they are not used to human "petting."
Pour water over their skin but avoid the blowhole to keep their skin cool and wet. Make sure to avoid getting water or debris in the blowhole so that it can breathe. Wet shirts or towels can be put on them just avoid covering their dorsal fin, pectoral fins, tail flukes, and blowhole.
Lastly, stay away from a dolphin's face and tail fluke because it is the most powerful part of their body and may cause serious injury. Never try to hold its tail and be aware when it moves its head from side to side, as it can use its rostrum to hurt anyone.
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