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Rare dolphin euthanized after accident on Fort Myers Beach

Southwest Florida Sunsets and Sunrises 2017
Posted at 7:06 AM, Apr 25, 2019
and last updated 2019-04-25 07:06:46-04

FORT MYERS BEACH, Fla. (AP) - Rescuers worked for hours to save a rare deep-water dolphin stranded on a Florida beach, but the animal was eventually euthanized.

Animal experts said the young rough-toothed dolphin had strayed far from its natural range, was emaciated and in poor health when it washed ashore in Fort Myers Beach late Tuesday.

Biologists and bystanders worked to help the struggling animal until early Wednesday, but wildlife officials said they ultimately made the decision to euthanize the dolphin on-site.

Florida Today reports officials are waiting on a necropsy to reveal what was wrong with the animal and how it wound up on the beach.