The dolphin was found on November 8 with a bullet wound. Image: Marine Animal Rescue/Facebook
Last week, a dead dolphin washed up on Manhattan Beach, California, a South Bay community where dolphin sightings are frequent. When officials did an autopsy, however, they found something strange: the dolphin had died from a gunshot wound.
“Upon rescue and examination,” wrote Marine Animal Rescue, a California-based organization. “Dr. Palmer found that the dolphin died from a bullet wound…There is NO excuse for such brutality against these beautiful animals.”
On November 8, Peter Wallerstein, president of Marine Animal Rescue, spotted the dolphin. He told ABC News that he pulled the dolphin from the water, noticed the hole in its side, and took it to an animal rehab center. There, the bullet was removed.
Wallerstein is worried that this dolphin could be part of a trend. “We don’t know if it’s the only one,” he said. “There could be others being shot out there, too.”
It’s not only illegal to kill a dolphin, it’s illegal to harass a dolphin, hurt a dolphin, or feed a dolphin. Basically, under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, it’s pretty much illegal to do anything to one. Now, the group is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of the person who shot the dolphin. “We’re gonna pursue it until we get the killer,” Wallerstein said.
If you have information, Marine Animal Rescue can be reached at (800) 399-4253 or (310) 455-2729.
