A tiny dolphin died despite efforts by the Pacific Marine Mammal Center and other rescuers after washing ashore at Capo Beach late Thursday, July 20.
San Clemente Animal Control called the Laguna Beach-based Mammal Center at about 5:35 p.m. after the dolphin calf, thought to be only one week old, beached itself at the Dana Point beach.
Workers with PMMC, a nonprofit that mostly helps sea lions and other coastal mammals, was training with a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration team when they got the call and responded at about 6:15 p.m.
“A small crowd had gathered and had the animal in a small children’s pool to keep him wet and buoyant until PMMC arrived,” according to a press release about the incident. “Both children and adults were very respectful, quiet and calm assisting PMMC’s rescue team which expedited the process getting the animal back to the center.”
PMMC’s veterinarian Kelli Barnett and NOAA West Coast Stranding Coordinator Justin Viezbicke observed that the animal was visibly emaciated, at 19.8 pounds, when they returned to the center along Laguna Canyon Road.
“Unfortunately, the animal was picked up in very poor condition and in the process of evaluation the animal passed,” said Viezbicke in the statement.
Less than 1 percent of cetaceans that strand survive, according to PMMC. A necropsy will be performed on the animal.
