Necropsy suggests marine mammal was ‘impaled in the head with a spear-like object’ while being illegally fed.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/20/dolphin-stabbing-death-florida

Richard Luscombe in Miami

@richluscWed 20 Apr 2022 09.18 EDT

Wildlife officials in Florida are investigating the mysterious death of a bottlenose dolphin that was recovered on a beach with an apparent stab wound to the head.

The mammal, which was found on Fort Myers beach in the south-west of the state on 24 March, is believed to have been killed deliberately, probably while it was being fed illegally by humans.

“Based on the shape, size and characteristics of the wound, it is suspected that the dolphin was impaled while in a begging position,” the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) said in a statement.

“Begging is not a natural behavior for dolphins and is frequently associated with illegal feeding.”

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The dolphin was an adult lactating female, and was above water with its mouth open when it was attacked, NBC News reported. Its carcass was recovered by the Florida fish and wildlife commission, whose officers passed details on to Noaa.

“A necropsy, non-human autopsy, revealed the dolphin was impaled in the head with a spear-like object while alive,” the Noaa statement said.

“Further examination indicated the wound, above the right eye, was inflicted before the animal died. The animal appeared to have died from the trauma, which occurred at or near the time of death.”

The agency is seeking information about the incident and has an enforcement hotline where tips can be left anonymously.

Violent incidents toward dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico are not uncommon. The latest incident brings to at least 27 the number washed up to shore after being shot by guns or arrows, or impaled with sharp objects since 2002.

Harassing, harming, killing or feeding wild dolphins is prohibited under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, with fines of up to $100,000 and up to a year in jail for each violation.

Experts say illegal feeding of marine mammals is harmful to more than just the individual being fed.

“Those dolphins have learned to associate humans with food. Once they learn that, they also teach it to other dolphins and they teach it to their babies,” Laura Engelby, Noaa marine mammal branch chief, told WBBH News.

According to the Noaa statement, “Dolphins fed by people learn to associate people, boats, and fishing gear with food, which puts dolphins and people in harmful situations.”