U.S. Declares Unusual Mortality Event As Dolphin Deaths Rise on East Coast

August 9, 2013 – VIRGINIA – Federal scientists investigating an unusually high number of dead bottlenose dolphins washing up on the East Coast said on Thursday the carcasses are showing up at a rate that is seven times higher than usual. More than 120 dead animals have been discovered since June from New Jersey to Virginia, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Fisheries Service said. Federal scientists have declared it an “unusual mortality event” and are investigating the cause, said Maggie Mooney-Seus of NOAA Fisheries. A number of things can cause dolphins to strand, including harmful algal blooms, infectious viruses, injuries due to ship strikes, pollutants and human-made runoff, NOAA said.



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