SYDNEY, April 10 (Xinhua) -- An eight-week-old dolphin calf has sadly been put down on Sunday, after being separated from its mother and stranded in ankle deep water at an estuary south of Perth.
The dolphin was found by a member of the public on Saturday morning and reported to the Department of Parks and Wildlife who attempted to move the bottle-nosed species to deeper water in the hope it could hear its mother calling.
The effort was not successful however and after being placed in a protective sea pod overnight, the animal became distressed.
Infant dolphins usually feed from their mother once an hour, but after not being fed for over 24 hours, a vet decided sending the creature back out to deeper water would likely "prolong the pain and suffering of the animal," Department of Parks and Wildlife officer Matt Swan told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
Researchers at Murdoch University took the body of the dolphin for further analysis and study.
"The volunteers were fundamental in helping Parks and Wildlife make the best possible decision we could for this animal and we're very grateful for that," Swan said.
Some of the volunteers even stayed by the water, with the dolphin through the entire evening.
