Baby dolphin dies from selfies
© Facebook/Equinac
A baby dolphin stranded on a Spanish beach has died after being handled and photographed by tourists. Curious beachgoers approached the female calf when it became beached in Mojacar, Almeria.

Equinac, a non-profit organisation, who help rescue stranded marine turtles and wildlife in the region, said the dolphin would have been "terrified" and criticised those who handled the animal.

"Humans are the most irrational animal there is. Many people are unable to feel empathy for a living being which is frightened, starving hungry, without its mother," they posted on Facebook [translated].

"In their selfishness, all they want to do is photograph it and touch it, even if the animals is suffering from stress."

"The photographs showed children touching the animal, unintentionally covering its blowhole."


The organisation clarified in a follow-up post: "We did not say that the bathers were responsible for their stranding.

"This calf beached for being sick or losing her mother, without which she can't survive, but photographing and touching causes these animals to enter a very high state of stress.

"Let us remind everyone that these animals are highly protected; to disturb them, to harm them and to manipulate them is prohibited by law, and we always ask for respect and consideration."
Dead baby dolphin
© Facebook/EquinacMembers of the Equinac team at the scene: The dolphin had died when they arrived.
Last year, a seal pup died after a 'clueless' woman carried it home in a plastic bag.

Meanwhile, a Yellowstone bison calf had to be put down after 'stupid' tourists tried to rescue it from the cold by putting it in their car.