2 Dolphins Found Dead With Bullet Wounds

Two dolphins were found along the Gulf Coast of Florida in recent weeks with gruesome and fatal wounds which were apparently caused by bullets.

One dolphin was discovered dead late last week in the waters off Naples in Florida, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said. The dolphin had life-ending injuries that were probably caused due to a bullet or due to stabbing or both.

Another dolphin was also found last week by the Emerald Coast Wildlife Refuge along the Pensacola Beach in the Florida Panhandle. It had a bullet lodged in its left side that caused its death.

NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is investigating the recent deaths. A reward of up to $20,000 is being offered by the authorities to anyone who comes forward with information that helps nab those responsible for the deaths of the dolphins.

According to experts, the deaths were caused due to humans who were feeding the dolphins. As they got associated with humans or boats that brought them food, the dolphins exposed themselves to dangerous situations, ABC News reported. This is one of the main reasons why the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission urges people to not feed wild dolphins.

29 dolphins have been found dead since 2019 with injuries caused by guns, arrows or found impaled with objects such as fishing spears. One such dolphin was found with a puncture wound to its head off Captiva Island. An investigation is still ongoing into that dolphin’s death.