A tiny Franciscana dolphin, one of the smallest dolphins in the world, has died after a group of tourists in Argentina plucked it from the ocean and literally manhandled it to death – for a selfie.
The dolphin was one of two grabbed by a man at a Buenos Aires resort, who paraded them around to a group of tourists, allowing them to take photos with the creature.
The death was confirmed by the Argentine Wildlife Foundation, who said in a statement that “at least one of the animals died.”
They said that Franciscana dolphins – of which conservationists say there are only about 30,000 left in the wild – cannot stay out of the water for long.
“They have very thick and greasy skin that provides warmth, so the weather will quickly cause dehydration and death.”
The tragic incident has spurned condemnation from animal welfare groups, and an outpouring of grief and outrage on social media, with an internet manhunt going on to find the people responsible.
Stupid Cunts. https://t.co/xttxNcIXB1
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) February 18, 2016
I swear to god, if I ever meet anyone who took a selfie with the baby dolphin, I’m going to beat them to death with a spanner
— James McMahon (@jamesjammcmahon) February 18, 2016
I dont think I’ve ever been more angry about something than I am about this dead dolphin
— KFC (@KFCBarstool) February 18, 2016
.@Argentina gather up the dolphin killers and deliver them to America for us to torture and murder, or we declare total war on your country
— KFC (@KFCBarstool) February 18, 2016
i vote we pass around the baby dolphin people amongst ourselves until they also die
— Bec Shaw (@Brocklesnitch) February 18, 2016
A baby dolphin died on a beach because tourists were passing it around to take selfies with. WTF? No. *Distances self from human race.
— Em Rusciano (@EmRusciano) February 18, 2016
A spokeswoman for World Animal Protection told the ABC:
“This terribly unfortunate event is an example of the casual cruelty people can inflict when they use animals for entertainment purposes, without thinking of the animal’s needs.
“At least one of these dolphins suffered a horrific, traumatic and utterly unnecessary death, for the sake of a few photographs.“Wild animals are not toys or photo props. They should be appreciated – and left alone – in the wild where they belong.”
Good job, humanity. 
Images: Hernan Coria / Facebook.
