The carcasses of 13 bottlenose dolphins have washed up on Delaware shores (USA) in the last few weeks, spanning the length of the state from the Delaware Bay to Cape Henlopen and Rehoboth Beach. Most of the marine mammals are too decomposed to pinpoint a cause of death. Annually, Delaware normally sees approx 10 dead dolphins wash up on shore – five of the 13 latest dolphin deaths have been calves or juveniles. Tissue samples have been taken for study which may help shed light why the dolphins stranded.
Marine Connection is a working member of the UK’s Marine Animal Rescue Coalition (MARC), bringing together many different groups interested and directly involved in the rescue of marine mammals. There are many possible causes of cetacean strandings, further details can be found here.
