HOLLYWOOD, FLA. (WSVN) - A dolphin died after it was found beached near Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Beach Park in Hollywood.

The rescue crew members from Miami Animal Rescue Society responded to the incident, Friday afternoon.

7Skyforce hovered over the scene as State Park and Recreation workers provided assistance to the beached dolphin.

“We tried to keep the animal as comfortable as we could until our [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] vet arrived,” he said. “Unfortunately, the animal passed away on the beach and it will be taken back to NOAH Miami lab for necropsy to hopefully determine the cause of death and collect biological samples,”

Several people tried helping the mammal, as they were pushing it out of the water in an attempt to rescue it.

The Marine Animal Rescue Society was one of the nonprofits that responded.

“Every time an animal strands, we wanna try and understand why, and learn more about the ocean, and what the animals are doing in the ocean, so when an animal strands, we do our best to perform as much research and science as possible,” said a rescue crew member with MARS.

Rescuers said it’s important for beachgoers to keep their distance and call the appropriate agencies if they see a stranded mammal on shore.

“If the public sees an animal in distress on the beach like we saw today, the best thing is to contact either Florida Fish and Wildlife, NOAH, or ourselves as MARS and we can be able to send rescuers out and be able to help save the animal,” said the rescue crew member.

Other authorities were contacted to assist in the rescue. The dolphin was taken away in a U-Haul truck.

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