A dolphin found stranded on Blooming Point Beach last October underwent a necropsy revealing a severe infestation of parasites. Tonya Wimmer, the co-executive director of the Marine Animal Response Society, disclosed that the dolphin suffered from a significant case of pneumonia due to lungworm infestation, which greatly affected its ability to breathe.
The distress call about the stranded female common dolphin was received on the evening of October 10, 2025. Despite initial observations suggesting the dolphin was in decent condition, fisheries officials who arrived an hour later noted the dolphin was alive but experiencing breathing difficulties.
Due to nighttime conditions, strong winds, and safety concerns, officials made the tough choice to leave the dolphin overnight and reassess the situation the following morning. Sadly, by the time a decision was made, the dolphin had succumbed to its condition.
The carcass was later retrieved by provincial staff and transported to the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative at the Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown for further examination. Veterinarians conducting the necropsy discovered the dolphin was in a compromised state, with additional findings of trematodes (flukes) in its ears, which likely contributed to its disorientation and subsequent stranding.
Wimmer emphasized the importance of prompt response to stranded wildlife, pointing out that the dolphin’s health issues, including parasitic infections, may have led it to be isolated from its pod due to its inability to keep up. She highlighted the natural occurrence of such events and the compassion shown by individuals who encounter stranded animals as a positive outcome from these unfortunate situations.