The federal government offers a reward of up to $20,000 for information on beachgoers who "harassed" and attempted to ride a dolphin that died after washing up on a Texas beach last month.
According to a Facebook post from the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, the sick dolphin washed up on Quintana Beach on April 10 and beachgoers "harassed" it by riding on it and pushing it back to the sea.
Beachgoers Harassed Drowning Dolphin in Quintana Beach
On April 10, a female bottlenose dolphin washed ashore on Quintana Beach near Freeport, Texas.
TMMSN executive director Heidi Whitehead told The Washington Post that the organization received a call about 20 minutes before the animal died.
A staffer requested the caller to tell the crowd to bring the animal to shore, but the beachgoers did not heed.
Instead, she told the Post, beachgoers swarmed the dolphin and piled their children on top of it, as if they were riding it.
When a dolphin is found stranded on the shore, it is frequently injured or unwell, and may have trouble breathing, according to Whitehead.
Local news site KHOU added that the beachgoers pushed it back out to sea, attempted to swim with it, and even rode it.
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"In this case, it's a pretty egregious example of what not to do," Texas A&M University Galveston Marine Biologist Dr. Christopher Marshall told KHOU.
"People riding the animal, the animal was quite sick, already stressed at this point," she said. "The animal was probably on the brink and the stress is what killed it."
The organization rescued the deceased dolphin and informed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. According to NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement, an autopsy indicated that the dolphin drowned.
While some people tried to help the dolphin, Whitehead told the Post that harassment behavior is inexcusable.
$20,000 Reward Up For Informants
The agency is using footage recorded during the incident to help identify the culprits. NBC News said a $20,000 reward is being offered for any information that leads to the successful identification, arrest, prosecution, and/or conviction of those responsible.
Tips can be left anonymously over the phone at (800) 853-1964, but a name and contact information is necessary for a reward.
How To Help Stranded Dolphins
When one sees a stranded dolphin, the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies suggests leaving the animal alone - exactly where it is until help arrives. Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network's website said that when people come across stranded dolphins, they should notify a rescue agency. In Texas, one can call 1-800-9MAMMAL (1-800-962-6625) with the specific location.
After calling for help, one should avoid pushing the animal back into the water because they are stranded for a reason and are more likely sick. It's best to keep people and pets away from it to minimize noise and reduce stress.
To keep the animal cool, keep it wet by pouring water or applying wet towels while avoiding the blowhole. If there are umbrellas, shade the animal or apply oil-free sunscreen.
Remain with the animal until help arrives.
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