Marine Connection can now confirm that the cause of death for three female dolphins at Mediterraneo Marine Park in Malta was lead poisoning. All five dolphins were diagnosed with lead intoxication however Mar, Onda and Melita died after ingesting the material which had fallen or been spilled into the tank, believed to be from weight belts that are filled with hundreds of small lead pellets.
In the summer of 2021, the two adult nursing females and their calves plus a young female began to display signs of illness. X-rays were undertaken and although treatment was implemented, further diagnostics showed the presence of lead pellets in the first and second stomach. One calf had no pellets in the stomach, however, did have a very high concentration of lead in the blood which was probably received indirectly via his mother’s milk.
A necropsy was conducted and the dolphins’ bodies were disposed of, however, requests for a sight of the paperwork relating to this have not been forthcoming from the park. Marine Connection will continue to work with colleagues in Malta including the Commissioner for Animal Welfare, who has launched an investigation into the case. In the meantime, the remaining dolphins are being monitored, the two young males being used for the swim programmes, and the three others remain show poolside, although the older male (originally wild-caught from Cuba), is being held in a separate tank.
