NC conservancy staff stays overnight with stranded dolphin to help animal in final hours

Staff members and interns for the Bald Head Island Conservancy (BHIC) are being commended for staying with a stranded dolphin overnight during the animal's final hours.

The male dolphin was found by himself in a malnourished state along the southern part of Bald Head Island last Wednesday night.

The conservancy said this specific species of rough-toothed dolphin is found in deep oceanic waters throughout the tropical region.

Conservancy staff and interns learned the animal was alone on the beach, and some stayed with him until the morning when the UNC Wilmington Marine Mammal Stranding team was able to come and help. A photo of the dolphin showed several staff members standing over the animal with towels on top of it.

Unfortunately, due to the dolphin's poor health, animal care officials determined he wouldn't be able to survive. The dolphin was euthanized.

The dolphin will undergo a necropsy to try and determine what caused him to end up stranded.

Anyone who sees a stranded marine animal is asked to call the BHIC Wildlife Hotline 910-457-0089 ext. 5.