By Josie August 29th, 2023
This Florida teenager has allegedly killed, although indirectly, a baby dolphin by using it as an Instagram prop.
A 19-year-old teenager from Florida plucked a baby dolphin from the sea to take a selfie with it.
When dolphins are removed from the water, they lose the buoyant support that water provides.
This can put pressure on their organs and muscles, making it harder for them to breathe.
The young dolphin was later found dead under a bridge near the Nassau Sound close to Jacksonville.
They could confirm the identity based on the unique dorsal fins, which compared to the picture posted on Instagram.
Combined with the location where the dolphin was found, makes it highly likely that the dead dolphin is the same one that the teenager posed with.
The Marine Mammal Protection Act makes it illegal to interfere with wild dolphins, even if they are already dead.
The teenager could face civil penalties up to about $34,000, criminal fines and/or prison for up to a year.
Despite his actions, has not been charged with a crime yet - but the incident is under investigation.
In the age of instant gratification and the pursuit of online fame, wildlife often pays the price.
The teenager claims the death was an “accident” and that the photo was a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity.
This tragic story underscores the dire consequences of reckless actions for fleeting online fame.