Rescue of a rare animal in Tel Aviv: why people made a mistake

A striped dolphin was found washed ashore on Jerusalem Beach in Tel Aviv. Bystanders rushed to return the animal to the water, but the Israel Nature and Parks Authority warned that such actions are dangerous: a healthy dolphin does not beach itself, and a hasty return to the sea can harm a sick or injured mammal.

On Tuesday morning, a striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) was found washed ashore on Tel Aviv's Jerusalem Beach. Bystanders, acting out of a desire to help, rushed to return the animal to the water. However, the Israel Nature and Parks Authority issued a statement warning that such actions are dangerous. The authority explained that a healthy dolphin never voluntarily beaches itself, so an animal found on shore is likely sick, injured, or exhausted and requires professional veterinary care, not an emergency return to the sea. Experts from the environmental organization Delphis noted that striped dolphins are the most common species in the Mediterranean Sea, but each stranding is an emergency. The authority recommended calling the hotline *3639 in such cases, staying near the animal, and waiting for professionals.