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'This is sickening': Dolphin dies after Texas beachgoers harass it by RIDING on it before rescuers arrive

Marine mammals are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and those behaviors are considered harassment, which is punishable by law

A sick bottlenose dolphin swam ashore in Texas and died after beachgoers attempted to ride it. According to the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network, those involved are now facing a possible harassment inquiry. The unidentified group discovered the beached dolphin at Quintana Beach County Park on Sunday, April 10, and attempted to push it back into the sea, while some attempted to ride it, according to the Houston Chronicle.

The ill dolphin was eventually stranded on the beach once again and died before rescuers arrived in the Gulf of Mexico beach town 60 miles south of Houston. The stranded dolphin was encircled by the group before playing with the ill marine mammal in the shallow water, according to photos uploaded to the animal rights group's Facebook page. The rescue organization claimed it had notified the park management about the stranded dolphin and requested the group to stay with it until officials arrived. Quintana Beach County Park authorities claimed that it died before the park manager arrived.

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Mail online stated, "While the group's intentions may have been harmless, the resultant stress undoubtedly led to the ailing animal's death," said Heidi Whitehead, executive director of the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network.

“Dolphins strand because they are sick or injured and will most likely drown if returned to sea or re-strand in worse condition,” Whitehead told the Chronicle. He further added, “Marine mammals are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and those behaviors are considered harassment, which is punishable by law.”

According to the Texas Marine Animal Stranding Network, anyone convicted of marine mammal harassment risk penalties and potentially jail time. If you come across a stranded dolphin or whale, do not push it back into the water, crowd it, or engage with it in any way.

If beachgoers come across a live-stranded dolphin or whale, marine wildlife specialists advise them to call the network at 1-800-962-6625 for advice on how to care for the animal until a rescue response team arrives.

'This is sickening'

The sad incident left many people heartbroken and disappointed. Many people took to Twitter to slam the ignorance that led to the beached dolphin's death. 'Human beings can be so disappointing', said one user, while another user called for people to leave 'wildlife alone' and dubbed the act 'disgusting'.