A heartbreaking incident in Buenos Aires, Argentina has sparked outrage around the world. Witnesses report that a small dolphin – one of the rarest and smallest species on the planet – died after being taken out of the water by beachgoers eager to take photos with it. Crowds gathered around the animal, passing it between them, and within minutes it succumbed to dehydration.
Dolphins rely on a protective layer of oily skin and fat to keep them insulated in the cold waters they inhabit. On a hot beach, however, their bodies can quickly overheat. This particular species, native to South America, is already listed as vulnerable, with populations under increasing threat from human activity.
Wildlife experts stress that no photograph or moment of entertainment is worth the life of an animal. This tragic event serves as a powerful reminder to respect and protect marine life – and to think twice before interfering with creatures in their natural habitat.
Santa Teresita: sacaron un delfín del mar para tomarse una foto y lo mataron por accidente https://t.co/L5F4GI6pc7 pic.twitter.com/XHmu3b7IZ5
— LA NACION (@LANACION) February 17, 2016
