This dolphin is part of a population of just 600 now facing dangers like the threat of ocean pollution.
The staggering amount of plastic that pollutes Earth’s waterways continues to claim more victims as a baby dolphin was found stranded at Fort Myers Beach
This dolphin is part of a population of just 600 now facing dangers like the threat of ocean pollution.
The staggering amount of plastic that pollutes Earth’s waterways continues to claim more victims as a baby dolphin was found stranded at Fort Myers Beach, Florida on April 23 in an emaciated state. After the dolphin was “humanely euthanized” by rescuers, a necropsy revealed plastic trash in its stomach.
CNN reported that two plastic bags and a balloon were among the harmful contents found inside the stomach of the dead female dolphin, estimated to be only months old.
The incident highlights the ever-growing problem of trash, particularly plastic bottles and bags, endangering ocean wildlife. However, experts are reluctant to cite the plastic trash found in the baby dolphin’s stomach as the conclusive cause of its death.
“Although a significant finding, 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 (FWC), who conducted the necropsy, said in a statement on Facebook.
Biologists from the FWC performed the post-mortem procedure two days after the rough-toothed dolphin had washed up on shore. They added that the samples collected during the necropsy would be sent to the lab for further analysis.
Rough-toothed dolphins are considered to be a smaller subspecies within the dolphin family. These sea mammals usually stay in large tight-knit groups, ranging from as little as 10 to 100 dolphins in one group. Their diet is made up of mostly squid and small fish. The population of rough-toothed dolphins is divided into three different stocks based on their geographic location: the Hawaiian stock, the northern Gulf of Mexico stock, and the western North Atlantic stock.
According to the