Article: Sad end: Dolphin put to death Animal that spent weekend swimming in Monatiquot River was sick, beached itself

BRAINTREE - A dolphin that spent the weekend swimming in Monatiquot River was destroyed last night after stranding itself on the shore.

Volunteers from New England Aquarium, who had been monitoring the 8-foot, 500-pound dolphin, saw it become beached at about 9:15 p.m. and realized it was sick.

"He had a very significant heart murmur," New England Aquarium spokesman Tony LaCasse said.

The animal was in shock and also had froth coming from its blowhole, which signals an infection, LaCasse said.

An autopsy will be performed, LaCasse said.

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!