Dozens of dolphins die trapped in Madagascar mangrove swamp
Pastor Dale Morgan
Dozens of dolphins die trapped in Madagascar mangrove swamp*
ANTANANARIVO, June 10 (AFP) Jun 10, 2008
At least 50 dolphins have died of exhaustion and injuries over the past
week after inexplicably getting stuck in a mangrove swamp in
northwestern Madagascar, locals said on Tuesday.
Residents in the port of Antsohihy said the Electra dolphins began
turning up in the port on June 3rd and swam into the adjoining mangrove
forests, despite attempts to save them.
"We have saved 22 dolphins trapped in the mangroves and put them in the
Laloza canal" leading back to the ocean, volunteer Philippe Robinet told
AFP.
"The dolphins are dying from injuries inflicted by the mangrove
branches, and from hunger and exhaustion," said the Antsohihy hotelier,
reached by phone from Antananarivo.
An aerial survey of the zone revealed on Monday that around sixty
dolphins are still caught in the mangrove waters.
Madagascar's Minister for the Environment is taking part in the rescue
operations.