A dolphin found stranded on Blooming Point Beach last October underwent a necropsy revealing a severe parasite infestation. Tonya Wimmer, co-executive director of the Marine Animal Response Society, disclosed that the dolphin suffered from intense pneumonia due to an overwhelming presence of lungworms, impacting its ability to breathe.
The distress call regarding the stranded female common dolphin was received on the evening of October 10, 2025. Witnesses initially believed the dolphin was in fairly good condition when fisheries officials arrived approximately an hour later. Despite efforts to assist the dolphin, officials, faced with late hours, windy weather, and safety concerns, made the difficult decision to reevaluate the situation the following day. Unfortunately, by then, the dolphin had passed away.
The carcass was later transported to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative for examination. Veterinarians conducted a necropsy revealing the dolphin’s compromised health, including a significant infestation of trematodes, known as flukes, in its ears, likely contributing to its disorientation and stranding.
Wimmer emphasized the abnormality of dolphins being found alone, as they typically travel in groups. The presence of parasites may have debilitated the dolphin to the point where it could not stay with its pod. She highlighted the natural occurrence of wildlife becoming disoriented and stranded, urging people to be prepared to respond appropriately to such situations.
Despite the unfortunate outcome, Wimmer expressed gratitude for the care and concern shown by individuals encountering such incidents, emphasizing the importance of compassion and awareness for the well-being of marine animals.
