Wildlife officials investigating dolphin deaths after calf was seen being pushed by mother

YANKEETOWN, Fla. (WCJB/Gray News) - Wildlife officials in Florida are investigating after a dolphin was seen pushing a dead calf on the Gulf Coast before a second dead dolphin was later found in the same area.

Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Department responded to reports made by a fisherman off the coast, Cpt. Isaac Young.

Young spotted the dead calf being pushed by what was presumed to be its mother in Withlacoochee Bay on Saturday. He then saw a grounded adult dolphin.

Young reported the deceased animals to FWC officials who then notified the University of Florida Marine Animal Rescue.

Shae Kelliher, a marine mammal stranding biologist for UF, said the team recovered the adult dolphin’s body on Sunday to perform a necropsy on the animal.

After an eight-hour search, the team couldn’t locate the calf’s body because the dense fog had affected visibility.

She estimated both dolphins died around five to seven days ago.

The causes of death are yet to be determined.

However, officials on Tuesday said the causes were narrowed to three possibilities: bird flu, reproduction complications or digestion issues after stingray remains were found during a necropsy.

Michael Walsh, a clinical associate professor of Aquatic Animal Health at UF, said the dolphin could have given birth before dying and suffered complications.

“They will go through this, what people call a grieving process, where the moms will not let the baby go even if it’s died,” Walsh said. “They’ll push it around sometimes for days at a time, it’s really sad. It shows how similar they are to us in terms of how they handle that relationship.”

There were also reports of a dead dolphin calf out on the water, but officials did not find its body.

Copyright 2025 WCJB via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved.