Biologists found two plastic bags and pieces of a balloon in the stomach of a rare dolphin calf washed ashore on Tuesday on Fort Myers Beach.
The Fort Myers News-Press reported that the female rough-toothed dolphin was emaciated when beachgoers discovered it. Rescuers reportedly worked into the early morning hours on Wednesday trying to save the animal, but her health had deteriorated to the point that workers decided to euthanize her, Michelle Kerr of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said Saturday.
Generally, dolphins as young and as small as the one washed ashore are with their mothers, and there is no clear reason why this particular dolphin was alone.
"Marine mammals strand for a reason," FWC officials wrote on their Facebook account.
"Often the animals are sick or injured … There are many additional factors to consider, such as underlying illness, disease, and maternal separation."
But almost an even bigger issue than how to dolphin ended up stranded is the plastic items found in its stomach.
"This finding highlights the need to reduce single-use plastic and to not release balloons into the environment," the FWC said.
The FWC posted images of what they found in the dolphin's stomach, but did not say the trash was the reason the dolphin was sick or stranded. A post-mortem exam will reveal more about what happened to the young dolphin and how it ended up on the beach so far from where it should have been.
