An injured dolphin found drifting along the Dadonghai beach resort in Sanya in South China's Hainan province later died from injuries on June 16, employees from Hainan's Aquatic Wild Animal Rescue Center said after the dolphin was identified, SCOL.com, a Sichuan province-based news portal reported.

When the dolphin was first discovered tourists and local residents posed for photos with it, even though the mamal was in need of serious medical attention. The dolphin was found drifting along the beach last Sunday afternoon.

Every year a few marine animals die as people lack the basic skills to rescue these animals, thus delaying medical treatment, a director of the rescue center surnamed Chen said.

Chen suggested the public should first contact local fisheries and authorities or a marine recue center, which can offer preliminary care in accordance with a proper rescue response time. Chen also said that people need to make sure to not let objects or water obstruct a marine animal's breathing. It is best to pour water on marine life once every two minutes to avoid dehydration and exposure to the sun.