A man is filmed carrying a marine animal at a beach in Hailing Island, China, onĀ May 1 (left).
Locals said the alleged dolphin was washed up to the beach and appeared to be dead (right)
According to initial investigation carried out by the local fisheries bureau indicated that the animal, likely to be a dolphin, had been washed ashore and believed to be dead.
A mobile phone footage emerged showing a swimmer carrying a marine animal similar to a dolphin over his shoulder and walking on a beach.
A person can be heard saying āitās a dolphinā.
The incident took place in Hailing Island at Guangdong Province on May 1, reported btime.com.Ā
Guangdong Provincial Fisheries Bureau launched an investigation upon receiving reports from local residents.
A security guard working near the beach told the investigation team that the ādolphinā was dead and covered in wounds when it was being found on the beach.
āThere were villagers and tourists looking at the dolphin but a man came and took it away,ā he told the staff from the fisheries bureau.
The unnamed man then placed the mammal in his car and drove away, stated in the official investigation report.
According to Chinaās Law of Wildlife Protection, dolphins are one of the listed species. Citizens are not allowed to hunt, kill, sell or keep the protected species, even if the mammals are found dead.Ā
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