MIAMI — Lifeguards in South Florida jumped into action when they heard reports of a beached dolphin.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s Ocean Rescue lifeguards found a baby dolphin on Saturday morning on the rock jetty at Haulover Beach in North Miami. They noticed the animal was unable to swim or right itself, and it looked like it was hit by a vessel, according to a social media post.

Pictures shared on X show the small dolphin with bloody scratches on its head. 

The lifeguards safely removed the baby and transferred it to the care of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation, where it will hopefully recover and be released back into the wild. 

Wildlife officials say it is against federal law to feed or harass wild dolphins. If anyone sees them in the wild, they are asked to leave them alone and not feed or swim with the animals. Human interaction with dolphins can increase the risk of injury from boats, increase incidents of entanglement in fishing lines and decrease willingness to forage for food. 

Dolphins are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and it is best for humans to keep their distance and enjoy watching them from afar.