Beached Dolphin Dies on Way to Marine Mammal Care Center
A 250-pound dolphin that was hauled out of the water by lifeguards after it beached itself Friday in Pacific Palisades died en route to a marine mammal care facility, authorities said.
The six- to seven-foot Pacific whitesided dolphin was spotted struggling in the water about 2:15 p.m., said Lt. John Baker, a county Fire Department lifeguard.
Rescuers tried to assist the dolphin back out to sea but the mammal “would just head back into shore,” Baker said.
Lifeguards aided by workers from a wildlife rescue center in Malibu loaded the dolphin onto a stretcher and transported it under police escort to the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro.
Jackie Ott, the center’s operations manager, said the dolphin died before it arrived.
Authorities said it was unclear why the animal tried to beach itself.
“It could have respiration problems, it could have parasites. Those are very, very common,” said lifeguard Lt. Mike Cunningham.
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