Dolphin In Distress Draws Crowd In Long Beach
LONG BEACH (CA) — A dolphin in distress is drawing a big crowd near a yacht club in Long Beach.
The animal has been swimming in circles in very shallow waters near the docked boats at Cerritos Bahia Yacht Club, off of PCH for nine hours. Locals are captivated and concerned.
Peter Wallerstein, Director of the Marine Animal Rescue, says that although the dolphin looks healthy, it may have been infected by domoic acid, a deadly toxin produced by a seasonal algae bloom that has already killed 19 dolphins during the past 2 1/2 weeks.
Dolphins are federally protected animals and as long as the animal is swimming upright and not on the beach, the only thing officials can do is wait.
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