Stranded Dolphin Dies After Texas Beachgoers Try To Ride It: Rescuers

QUNTANA BEACH, TX — A crowd of curiosity seekers on a Texas Beach harrassed a stranded dolphin, trying to ride and swim with the sick mammal before she died, marina rescuers said.

The dolphin had washed up alive on Quintana Beach Sunday night and was pushed back to sea while beachgoers tried to "swim with and ride the sick animal," according to a Facebook post by the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

"She ultimately stranded and was further harassed by a crowd of people on the beach where she later died before rescuers could arrive on scene," the post read. "This type of harassment causes undue stress to wild dolphins, is dangerous for the people who interact with them, and is illegal - punishable by fines and jail time if convicted."

The group then urged residents to not push animals back to sea or attempt to swim or interact with them, let alone "crowd them," but instead immediately call 1-800-9MAMMAL (1-800-962-6625) for guidance on how to help support the animal until rescuers arrive.

The group went on to thank the beachgoer who reported the stranding, and the Quintana Beach County Park for "getting on-site as quickly as possible."

Learn more via NOAA about harassment of wild dolphins.