If You See a Dolphin Washed Up On the Beach in Texas, Leave It Alone

Reading about stuff like this really makes me feel sick.

Beachgoers at Quintana Beach in Brazoria County allegedly tried to swim with and even ride on the back of a sick dolphin they found stranded on the beach. It's not stated in the article, but I would imagine that everyone had their phones out to get a video of themselves with the dolphin for social media. Truly disgusting.

The dolphin was pushed back into the sea by the beachgoers, according to the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, then it was once again stranded on the beach. Rescuers were not able to do their jobs to try and save the dolphin as it was already too late. Instead, the dolphin was taken for a necropsy to try to determine what caused it to become stranded in the first place.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act completely forbids the harassment or attempted harassment of any marine mammals you may find in the wild. It is recommended that you stay at least 150 feet away from any that you might see, and that you contact the proper authorities before taking matters into your own hands.

Get our free mobile app

Can you imagine someone pretending to swim with you and riding on your back while you died in the ocean? Treat our mammal friends just like you would a living person, and call upon assistance when something like this happens. That type of harassment can cause undue stress to a dolphin. Not to mention, messing with a dolphin or any other wild mammal is punishable by jail time and hefty fines.