VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - A necropsy was performed Thursday on a dolphin that had to be euthanized after beaching itself in a Portsmouth creek.
The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center's Stranding Response Team responded to Scott's Creek Wednesday afternoon after getting calls about a dolphin bobbing in the water.
Staff closely monitored the dolphin for several hours as it moved about throughout the creek. At one point citizens on a boat pulled the dolphin to deeper waters after it beached itself, even though intervening with dolphins is illegal since they are federally protected.
When the dolphin beached itself a second time, staff from the Stranding Response Team were able to assess the dolphin, which had extensive skin lesions from prolonged exposure to fresh water.
"It had variable breathing, from what seemed normal to very labored. Heart rate was very, very low, which is suggestive of essentially cardiovascular collapse and then the skin lesions, which if left untreated would just result in extensive infection," Alexander Costidis, the Stranding Response Coordinator, told News 3's Todd Corillo Thursday.
Costidis oversaw a necropsy of the male dolphin Thursday.
"Our current focus is of course to try and find out what exactly impaired this animal. So we are collecting a number of diagnostics to try and address that," Costidis shared.
The summer months are what the Stranding Response Team considers their busy season, with many dolphins, sea turtles and other animals migrating north. They are encouraging folks who come into contact with a marine animal in distress to immediately call them.
"We understand and appreciate people's excitement and desire to try and help one of these animals. We feel the same way. But if you do encounter a situation like that, we urge you to pick up the phone and call our stranding hotline," Costidis said.
The Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center's Stranding Response Hotline is 757-385-7575 and it is staffed 24-hours per day.
