A baby dolphin died after visitors to Santa Teresita beach in Argentina pulled it from the water last week to take selfies. The Argentine Wildlife Association (AWA) issued a statement on the endangered species, as activists and animal rights groups expressed outrage.
Franciscana Dolphins Are An Endangered Species
Native to South America, Franciscana or La Plata dolphins are unique and are the only river bred dolphin that also inhabits saltwater. Less than 30,000 remain in Argentina, Ugaray, and Brazil. Franciscana dolphins have greasy skin that holds warmth and causes dehydration when exposed to the open air. The AWF reports, survival rates for the species are very low if they are above the water.
Leave Dolphins In Their Habitat
According to Dolphins World.com, the species can grow four to six feet long and can weigh up to 115 lbs. The baby dolphin didn’t stand much of a chance and was only one to two feet long. Dolphin World says people are invited to look into the water and to view La Plata dolphins, but urges people not to remove them from the water.
Cruelty To Animals Is Never Okay
Aside from this being a jackass move for adults to make, it is also teaching children that cruelty to animals is okay, as long as humans are amused. As La Plata dolphins die out in their habitat, the world loses a very unique mammal.
Selfish Selfie-Taking Is A Bad Move
In the video not one person thought that this might be a bad idea and encouraged the selfie-taking to cease. AWF urges people who come across dolphins that have washed up on shore to be kind enough to return them to the ocean.
Participants Belong In The Hall Of Shame
Video footage shows the swimmers and beach frolickers left the baby dolphin lifeless on the shore after their selfie- taking fun. They didn’t even bother to throw it back in the water. Is being shamed on video enough of a punishment for the crime?
Video: You Tube
Featured Image by Jennifer Boyer via Flickr.com , available under a Creative Commons license.
