Perilous
Times
Massachusetts: 81 Dolphins dead in mass suicide stranding on
Cape Cod
By Kendall Green, CNN
updated 9:39 PM EST, Wed February 1, 2012
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
More than 100 dolphins have been found to have suicide
stranded themselves along the rocky Massachusetts shoreline
The mammals have at times washed up in groups of as many as 10
Activists say they are transporting the living dolphins by
trailers, after tagging them
It's not clear what's prompted the suicide strandings and
deaths
(CNN) -- At least 81 dolphins have been found dead or died shortly
after being discovered on Cape Cod in a series of largely
unexplained suicide strandings that began early last month,
according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
More than 100 dolphins, identified as common and Atlantic
white-sided, have been found to have suicide stranded themselves
along the rocky Massachusetts shoreline since January, said NOAA
spokeswoman Teri Rowles and activists involved in the rescue
effort.
The mammals have at times washed up in groups of as many as 10,
added Katie Moore, a manager for the International Fund for Animal
Welfare.
Activists say they are transporting the living dolphins by
trailers, after they are tagged, to an outer Cape Cod coast where
they are being released.
While dolphin suicide strandings are not uncommon on Cape Cod, the
animal welfare group's program director called the recent number
of dead dolphins "disturbing."
"Cape Cod sees an average of 120 dolphin strandings per year,"
said A.J. Cady.
It's not clear what's prompted the mass deaths, but recent changes
in water temperature could be a contributing factor that has
disoriented the mammals, said Wellfleet harbormaster Michael
Flanagan.
Once beached, they are vulnerable to predators and susceptible to
organ damage and sunburn.
"Usually in the winter, the harbor ices over and inhibits the
animals from coming close to the shore," Flanagan said. "But now
that the water is warmer, we're seeing lots more dolphins washing
up than ever before."
Still, the suicide strandings and causes of death are not clear,
said Rowles, who added that the region has not experienced this
kind of phenomenon in over a decade.
In a similar incident last year, dozens of dead seals were found
along the Maine and northern Massachusetts coastlines.