Baby dolphin found dead with bullets in its brain, spine and heart
A baby dolphin has been found shot to death on a beach with bullets left lodged in its brain, spine and heart.
A beachgoer found the dead animal washed ashore on West Mae’s Beach in Cameron parish, Louisiana in March.
An autopsy revealed the young dolphin died from the gun shot wounds.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is offering $20,000 to anyone who could provide information to find those who shot the animal.
They said: ‘A member of the public reported the stranding to the Southeast Marine Mammal Stranding Hotline.
‘Harassing, harming, killing, or feeding wild dolphins is prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.
‘Violations can be prosecuted civilly or criminally and are punishable by up to $100,000 in fines and up to 1 year in jail per violation.’
The Marine Mammal commission said the bottlenose dolphins in the area are still suffering from the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Ever since the dolphin population in the area has declined by 45%.
The animal can live for up to 60 years.
A pod of dolphins were spotted bobbing along the Thames near Richmond Lock and Footbridge last week.
One walker said they called the fire brigade as they were scared the dolphins were trapped in the body of water.
Another pod was also seen swimming in the River Thames in February.
Matt, who captured the footage, told Metro: ‘I was on the way back from the gym and walking along the Thames pathway, and out of the corner of my eye I saw what looked like a Dorsal fin protruding out of the water.
‘At first I thought I was seeing things, but then two more popped up and began making their way closer towards me.
‘I only managed to capture 3 or 4 on video, but off camera I saw around 6 to 8, all clumped together as a pod making their way along the Thames towards tower bridge.’
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