Infant Dolphins Wash Ashore Along Gulf Coast

A fourth infant dolphin has washed ashore on Horn Island, Mississippi, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore Park.  Three infant dolphins were found there Monday. 

Including the four in Horn Island, there have been 18 reported infant dolphins washed ashore along the Gulf Coast since January, and a total of 28 adults and infants this year.  Researchers with The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) are heading to Horn Island to collect tissue samples for study. 

Blair Mase, the Southeast regional coordinator of NOAA’s marine mammal stranding program, has also comfirmed that the mortality rate is higher than normal this birthing season.  Mase stated that with the two organizations are working together to determine the causes of the higher than normal dolphin deaths.  Right now they are not sure if its infection or biotoxin related or not.  They’re also looking at possible human impact related causes, such as oil spills. 

To read more about these dolphins deaths and to follow the story for further developments, check out the Biloxi-Gulfport SunHerald, and the IMMS website.