Newsdeck

STRANDED MARINE MAMMALS

Eight dolphins dead after washing ashore in New Jersey

Eight dolphins died after being stranded on a New Jersey beach, according to an animal rescue group, and have been taken to a state lab for necropsies that could help explain why they washed ashore.

The Marina Mammal Stranding Center, a nonprofit group based in New Jersey that rescues and rehabilitates stranded marine mammals, reported the incident on Tuesday. The aquatic animals, called Common dolphins, beached themselves in Sea Isle City, about 30 miles (50km) south of Atlantic City.

The reason for the stranding was unclear.

The deaths come about a week after the group reported that two other dolphins died after washing ashore on a sandbar in Sandy Hook Bay, New Jersey, about 50 miles (80km) south of New York City. The animals are not considered endangered.

The group said on Facebook that two of the creatures had initially died and the other six were euthanised “to prevent further suffering”.

A veterinarian with the group determined that returning the animals to the ocean would only prolong their deaths.

A spokesperson for the nonprofit group was unavailable for comment on Wednesday by telephone or email.

All eight of the dolphins were taken to the laboratory for necropsies.

(Reporting by Rich McKay in Atlanta; Editing by Jonathan Oatis.)

Gallery

Comments - Please in order to comment.

  • Jack Rollens says:

    Just another sign of the continuing destruction of the oceans and our environment. Many of these “Unknown” deaths of Marine Mammals are caused by human created causes. The Navy and their never ending sonic and noise created weapons are a major reason for these “Mysterious” deaths. Pollution is also a major factor. Humans are a Plague on the planet and are responsible for its destruction.

Please peer review 3 community comments before your comment can be posted

MavericKids vol 3

How can a child learn to read if they don't have a book?

81% of South African children aged 10 can't read for meaning. You can help by pre-ordering a copy of MavericKids.

For every copy sold we will donate a copy to Gift of The Givers for children in need of reading support.

A South African Hero: You

There’s a 99.8% chance that this isn’t for you. Only 0.2% of our readers have responded to this call for action.

Those 0.2% of our readers are our hidden heroes, who are fuelling our work and impacting the lives of every South African in doing so. They’re the people who contribute to keep Daily Maverick free for all, including you.

The equation is quite simple: the more members we have, the more reporting and investigations we can do, and the greater the impact on the country.

Be part of that 0.2%. Be a Maverick. Be a Maverick Insider.

Support Daily Maverick→
Payment options