Baby Dolphins Are Washing Up Dead Along the Gulf
Scientists at the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies are investigating unusually high numbers of stillborn and aborted dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico region. Seventeen infant dolphins have washed up on shore so far this year, compared to an average of one or two a month, says one scientist. (more)
Scientists at the Institute of Marine Mammal Studies are investigating unusually high numbers of stillborn and aborted dolphins in the Gulf of Mexico region. Seventeen infant dolphins have washed up on shore so far this year, compared to an average of one or two a month, says one scientist.
It’s possible, though too soon to tell, that the BP oil disaster and ensuing chemical cleanup may be to blame.
Rock Solid JournalismSun Herald:
“For some reason, they’ve started aborting or they were dead before they were born,” [institute director Moby Solangi] said. “The average is one or two a month. This year we have 17 and February isn’t even over yet.”
Deaths in the adult dolphin population rose in the year of the oil spill from a norm of about 30 to 89, Solangi said.
Solangi is gathering tissue and organs for a thorough forensic study of the infant deaths and is cautious about drawing conclusions until the data is in within a couple of weeks.
In 2026, amid chaos and the nonstop flurry of headlines, Truthdig remains independent, fact-based and focused on exposing what power tries to hide.
Support Independent Journalism.
Book Review
A new book argues that many animals we find loathsome are often made so because of our own actions.
As climate change decimates our fauna, we must remember that the loss of our fellow species will harm us directly, too.
Activists, actors and politicians defy tradition and work to prohibit cruelty to animals.
Analyses show that a shocking United Nations report was eclipsed by news the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had their first child.
We have a finite amount of time left to coexist with large parts of the biosphere, including thousands of species of plants and animals.
You need to be a supporter to comment.
There are currently no responses to this article.
Be the first to respond.