A dolphin died Tuesday morning in Long Beach after beaching itself near the Claremont Lot tower, Long Beach Fire Department (LBFD) spokesman Jake Heflin said.

dead dolphinAccording to Heflin, a construction crew for an HBO show and set medic noticed the dolphin swimming back and forth about 25 to 30 feet from shore.

When it beached itself at about 10:45AM, the crew and medic put some water on the dolphin and helped put it back in the water.

However, it swam back right back in and beached itself again, Heflin said.

Arriving lifeguards then attempted to help the dolphin back into the water but it came back to shore and died shortly after.

A marine mammal rescue team took possession of the dead animal for further evaluation, Heflin said.

According to officials from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, it is not normally a good thing when whales or dolphins beach themselves. It’s usually a sign that they are sick or injured.

Above, left: photo courtesy of LBFD spokesman Jake Heflin.

This story was updated on Tuesday, June 9 at 5:35PM. 

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Stephanie Rivera is the community engagement editor. Reach her at [email protected] or on Twitter at @StephRivera88.