Plastic bags and balloons are found in the stomach of rare deep-water baby dolphin that became stranded on a Florida beach and had to be euthanized
- A deep-water dolphin calf that washed up on Fort Myers Beach in Florida last week had two plastic bags and a shredded balloon in its stomach
- The young rough-tooth dolphin was emaciated and in poor health
- Biologists and bystanders worked to help the struggling 11-pound female calf, but wildlife official decided to euthanize the dolphin on-site
- Rough-toothed dolphins usually stay in deep water and travel in pods of 10 to 20
A rare deep-water dolphin that was found stranded on a Florida beach and later had to be euthanized had a stomach full of trash.
Biologists said they found two plastic bags and a shredded balloon during a necropsy of the young rough-toothed dolphin after it washed ashore in Fort Myers Beach last week.
Animal experts said the rough-toothed dolphin was emaciated and in poor health.
Biologists and bystanders worked to help the struggling 11-pound female calf, but wildlife official decided to euthanize the dolphin on-site.
The rare deep-water dolphin was found stranded after it washed ashore in Fort Myers Beach, Florida last week
Biologists said they found two plastic bags and a shredded balloon during a necropsy of the young rough-toothed dolphin
Such a young dolphin should have still been with its mother but somehow wound up far from her deep-water home.
Rough-toothed dolphins usually stay in deep water and travel in pods of 10 to 20.
Scientists are still trying to find a cause of death for the dolphin.
‘There are many additional factors to consider, such as underlying illness, disease and maternal separation, before a final cause of stranding and death for the dolphin can be determined,’ the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.
‘This finding highlights the need to reduce single use plastic and to not release balloons into the environment.
‘Please remember that marine mammals strand for a reason, often the animals are sick or injured.’
Scientists said the samples collected during necropsy would be sent for analysis to help them determine the cause of death.
Animal experts said the rough-toothed dolphin was emaciated and in poor health
Biologists and bystanders worked to help the struggling 11-pound female calf
Wildlife official decided to euthanize the dolphin on-site due to her poor health
Such a young dolphin should have still been with its mother but somehow wound up far from her deep-water home
Rough-toothed dolphins usually stay in deep water and travel in pods of 10 to 20