179 Dolphins Stranded on Cape Cod
OutdoorHub 02.21.12
In a massive rescue effort, IFAW’s (International Fund for Animal Welfare – www.ifaw.org) Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Team has been able to rescue and release 53 of the 71 Common dolphins that have stranded alive on Cape Cod shores during the past few weeks, including a dolphin calf and a pregnant mother. Approximately 108 additional animals stranded, but were found dead most likely due to injuries sustained from stranding.
“I’ve been doing this for 15 years and this is the first time I’ve seen it like this,” said Katie Moore IFAW’s Marine Mammal Rescue and Research Manager. “These types of lingering mass strandings seem to be unique to our area.”
“No one knows for sure why animals strand, but mass strandings of whales and dolphins have happened on Cape Cod for hundreds of years,” said Moore. “The topography of the Cape is likely a factor, with its hook-like shape, gently sloping beaches and extensive sand and mud flats. Animals may become disoriented and trapped by the complex inlets. Dolphins are also very social animals and stick together for better or worse,” said Moore.
One dolphin stranded in Wellfleet on Thursday, Jan. 12, kicking off a series of additional strandings that has lasted more than a month. . A response of this scale would not be possible without the help of dozens of trained volunteers, in addition to IFAW staff.
“The scale of this mass stranding is unique. We’ve responded to dolphins along 25 miles of coastline during the past few weeks,” said Brian Sharp IFAW Stranding Coordinator. “We were able to affix satellite tags to the dorsal fins of several rescued dolphins, which will allow us to find out how they’re doing after release. We’re hoping to see that the location coordinates are grouped together, which will show that they’ve rejoined a pod.”
Along with sites in Australia and New Zealand, Cape Cod is one of the top three stranding hotspots in the world. Mass strandings of multiple marine mammals often occur in this area between January and April, but this is the largest stranding event involving a single species in the Northeast U.S. in decades.
If anyone sees a live or dead stranded marine mammal south of Plymouth through Rhode Island, please report it to the IFAW emergency hotline at (508) 743-9548. To learn more about how you can help, contact Paul Todd, IFAW’s OIA representative at (202) 536-1917.
