News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

These are the sickening images that show a young dolphin's last moments before it died of dehydration when it was picked up out of the sea by a crowd.

The mammal was found on an Argentine beach as sunbathers lifted it to take photographs with the animal.

They crowded around it as it squirmed and wriggled but the oblivious selfie-takers carried on playing with it.

The rare La Plata dolphin, which can live for 20 years, was eventually killed after it became dehydrated out of the water.

Sickeningly, the crowd continued to take pictures of the poor animal as it lay dead on the sandy beach.

(Image: CEN)

Argentinian officials have blasted the incident and reminded people that the dolphins die quickly out of the sea.

The Wildlife Foundation in Argentina issued a public notice about the vulnerable species, which only live off the coast of Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.

Read more:Pet cat found hanged from phone charger cord as RSPCA hunt sick killer

It read: "The Franciscana, like other species, cannot remain for much time outside of the water, it has thick fatty skin which gives it heat and means that taking it out of the water rapidly causes it to dehydrate and die."

(Image: CEN)

"This occasion serves to inform the public about the urgent necessity to return these dolphins to the sea as soon as possible if they find them on the shore," it continued.

"It is fundamental that people help to rescue these animals, because every Franciscana counts now."

Read more:Horrific images show monkey being punished for theft as crowds gather to cheer

(Image: CEN)

La Plata dolphins - also known as the Franciscana - are listed as 'Vulnerable' in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN) Red List of Threatened Species.

It is of extreme conservation concern because of its vulnerability to getting accidentally caught in fishing gear. There are thought to be only around 30,000 of the species left in the world.