Environmental NGO Nature Trust is in touch with the Environment and Resources Authority, trying to find out what happened to a dolphin carcass which allegedly washed up in Msida on Tuesday.

MEP candidate Cami Appelgren said she was informed about the case by her sources, and had been told that the carcass was removed – but that the normal procedure was not followed.

“Crimes against these creatures shouldn't be taken lightly. They are protected on paper, but with no proper transparent enforcement,” she fumed to the Times of Malta, after posting news of the find on her Facebook page.

Nature Trust head Vincent Attard told the Times of Malta that dolphins are a protected species – even when dead – and that it should have been notified.

“We normally go on site to evaluate the situation and to collect data about the species and the size, among other details. And sometimes, we are asked to organised a necropsy to determine the cause of death: it is important to rule out disease but also to ensure that there was no foul play.

“Without a carcass, we cannot rule that out,” he stressed, adding that there are also set procedures for the carcass disposal.

Ms Appelgren, who has made protection of marine areas and species a cornerstone of her MEP campaign, said it was still not clear who removed the carcass, but that it was not Animal Welfare.