Dolphin Dies For Selfies: Small Animal Dead In Argentina After Beachgoers Pass It Around [GRAPHIC PHOTOS]

A small dolphin has died in Argentina after beachgoers passed it around for pictures. A group of people, according to La Nacion, removed two tiny marine mammals from the water to pet them and snap selfies with them. The incident happened in Santa Teresita, province of Buenos Aires, earlier this week. At least one of the animals died.

Considered one of the smallest dolphins in the world, the Franciscana or La Plata Dolphin, is between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 10 inches long and weighs about 110 lb. As a member of the river dolphin group, the Franciscana is the only one that can survive in the ocean and saltwater estuaries and can live for up to 20 years. However, due to its thick and greasy skin, which provides warmth, it can quickly dehydrate and die outside of a body of water.

This type of dolphin is found in the coastal Atlantic waters, in Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay. According to Argentine foundation Vida Silvestre, they primarily live in the coast of Buenos Aires, where it's expected to be home for under 30,000 of them. "The Franciscana is vulnerable to extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)," notes the organization, which is raising awareness after the tragic mishap. "Therefore, the occasion serves to inform the public about the urgent need to return these dolphins to sea when encountering them on shore," it expressed.