Current:Home > ScamsDolphin mass stranding on Cape Cod found to be the largest in US history-InfoLens
Dolphin mass stranding on Cape Cod found to be the largest in US history
View Date:2024-12-23 11:31:53
Rescuers who helped free more than a hundred dolphins from the Cape Cod shoreline say they’ve confirmed that the mass stranding that began June 28 was the largest involving dolphins in U.S. history.
There were two prior events on record in Hawaii and the Florida Keys where dolphin species were observed circling in shallow water, but the Cape Cod event marks the highest number of dolphins beached in a single stranding event, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, which helped lead the rescue.
A final review of data and aerial imagery this week revealed that a total of 146 dolphins were involved in the stranding, according to IFAW communications director Stacey Hedman.
The group estimated that 102 dolphins survived the multi-day event. There were 37 natural deaths and seven dolphins had to be euthanized.
Response efforts have continued on a smaller scale including the rescue, relocation, and release of nine of the same Atlantic white-sided dolphins on July 2.
On that day, 11 dolphins were found stranded near Powers Landing in Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Two were euthanized, and nine were transported in a custom-built mobile dolphin rescue clinic vehicle where veterinarians and biologists can administer fluids and other treatments on the way to a deeper water location, Hedman said.
In this case, she said, the dolphins were released near Herring Cove Beach in Provincetown. Satellite tags tracked several of these animals safely offshore.
There’s no set reason for why the dolphins became stranded.
Rescuers faced many challenges as they attempted to guide the dolphins back to open water, including difficult mud conditions and the dolphins being spread out over a large area.
During some of the rescue attempts workers started out on foot, herding the creatures into deeper waters and then used small boats equipped with underwater pingers, which make noise to help attract the creatures.
Several of the dolphins died at The Gut — or Great Island — in Wellfleet, at the Herring River. The Gut is the site of frequent strandings, which experts believe is due in part to its hook-like shape and extreme tidal fluctuations.
“This stranding response was a tremendous effort for our staff, volunteers, and partners over multiple days,” Hedman said, adding that with about a 70% survival rate, the group consider the response a success.
The organization has also received reports from whale watching vessels that have seen some of the dolphins — identified with temporary markings — now swimming among other groups of hundreds of other dolphins that had not been part of the stranding.
Those helping with the overall rescue effort included more than 25 staff from the IFAW and 100 trained volunteers. The group also had the support of Whale and Dolphin Conservation, the Center for Coastal Studies, AmeriCorps of Cape Cod and the New England Aquarium.
veryGood! (293)
Related
- Glen Powell responds to rumor that he could replace Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible'
- Tom Schwartz Proves He and New Girlfriend Are Getting Serious After This Major Milestone
- Georgia prosecutors renew challenge of a law they say undermines their authority
- Wisconsin man pleads not guilty to neglect in disappearance of boy
- Younghoo Koo takes blame for Falcons loss to Saints: 'This game is fully on me'
- Heavy rains lash UAE and surrounding nations as the death toll in Oman flooding rises to 18
- Riley Strain’s Mom Shares New Information From Final Messages Sent Before Disappearance
- Kate Hudson Defends Her Brother Oliver Hudson Against Trolls
- New Orleans marks with parade the 64th anniversary of 4 little girls integrating city schools
- A big pet peeve: Soaring costs of vet care bite into owners' budgets
Ranking
- QTM Community Introduce
- Yoto Mini Speakers for children recalled due to burn and fire hazards
- Duchess Meghan teases first product from American Riviera Orchard lifestyle brand
- TikToker Nara Smith Details Postpartum Journey After Giving Birth to Baby No. 3 With Lucky Blue Smith
- Stressing over Election Day? Try these apps and tools to calm your nerves
- Mark Cuban shares his 9-figure tax bill on IRS due day
- Supreme Court won’t hear election denier Mike Lindell’s challenge over FBI seizure of cellphone
- Former Arkansas officer pleads guilty to civil rights violation in violent arrest caught on video
Recommendation
-
November 2024 full moon this week is a super moon and the beaver moon
-
Gayle King and Charles Barkley end 'King Charles' CNN talk show run after 6 months
-
Internet customers in western North Carolina to benefit from provider’s $20M settlement
-
The Biden campaign is trying to keep Jan. 6 top of mind with voters. Will it work?
-
Joey Graziadei Details Why Kelsey Anderson Took a Break From Social Media
-
When is the 2024 NFL draft? Dates, times, location for this year's extravaganza
-
Former Arkansas officer pleads guilty to civil rights violation in violent arrest caught on video
-
'American Idol' recap: First platinum ticket singer sent home as six contestants say goodbye