Dolphin stranded on Texas beach dies after mob tries to ride animal, rescuers say

A dolphin stranded on a Texas beach has died after a mob “harassed” the animal and tried to ride it, rescue officials said.

The female dolphin washed up on Quintana Beach on Sunday night and is believed to have been pushed back into the sea while beachgoers tried to “swim with and ride the sick animal”, the Mammal Network said. Texas sea said in a Facebook post.

“She was eventually trapped and harassed by a crowd of people on the beach, where she later died before rescuers could reach the scene,” the organization said.

Harassing stranded marine animals is stressful and can also be dangerous for those who come in contact with them, but it is also illegal, rescue officials said in the post.

Violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act can result in civil penalties of up to $11,000 and up to one year in prison.

“If a live dolphin or whale runs aground in Texas, please DO NOT return the animal to the sea, do not attempt to swim or come into contact with them, do not crowd with them,” the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network said.

Finally, someone at the beach called Quintana Beach County Park for assistance. The park called the incident a “tragedy.”

at Blogtuan.info – Source: nbcnews.com – Read the original article here