(CNN) — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is investigating the loss of life of a dolphin that was impaled while alive in Florida.
The bottlenose dolphin was discovered lifeless on Fort Myers Beach, Florida. NOAA first discovered in regards to the animal on March 24, and employees from the the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recovered the animal, stated the company in a news assertion.
An examination decided that the dolphin was impaled with a “spear-like” object above its proper eye while it was still alive. The dolphin, a lactating grownup feminine, died from the trauma.
According to NOAA, the dolphin’s wound signifies it was killed while in a “begging” place which “is frequently associated with illegal feeding.” Feeding dolphins can threaten the animals’ well being and likewise typically cause them to turn into aggressive towards people, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says.
NOAA advised CNN that as of April 29 there have been no new leads in the case.
Any witnesses are urged to name the NOAA Enforcement Hotline at (800) 853-1964.
Feeding, harming, harassing, and killing wild dolphins is prohibited in the United States below the Marine Mammal Protection Act, says NOAA, and violations are punishable with as much as $100,000 in fines and as much as 1 yr in jail per violation.