A young dolphin was rescued Tuesday after it became stranded on a beach in Los Angeles County, officials said.
The Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division said lifeguards responded Tuesday afternoon to a report of a dolphin stranded on Torrance Beach in Torrance. Once on scene, they stabilized the juvenile dolphin and kept it hydrated while waiting for Marine Mammal Care Center personnel to arrive.
Photos shared by LACFD Lifeguard Division show two lifeguards watching over the small dolphin with a bucket of water handy to keep the animal comfortably wet.
The dolphin was safely transferred to the care of the Marine Mammal Care Center, officials said.
“Marine mammal strandings can occur for a variety of reasons, and while it may be tempting to assist, its important to give these animals space and notify professionals,” the fire department said. “If you encounter a sick or stranded marine mammal, alert the nearest lifeguard and report the sighting to @marinemammalcare at 1-800-39-WHALE.”
