4 rare dolphins found dead on Mississippi barrier island
JACKSON COUNTY, Miss. (WLOX) – The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) reports that four dolphins were found dead on Petit Bois Island Saturday.
IMMS says their staff responded to a ‘stranding event’ on the island after a group of dolphins was discovered and reported to their Stranding Hotline.
IMMS collected photographs and tissue samples in the field. To their surprise, the dolphins were Pantropical Spotted Dolphins, a species rarely seen in Mississippi waters.
IMMS says these dolphins usually inhabit deeper waters, so it was a surprise to find four together on one of the barrier islands.
Each animal was brought back to IMMS for further analysis. Necropsies— animal autopsies— are being performed, in collaboration with the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine, to determine the causes of death.
IMMS says they will provide updates as they’re available. IMMS thanks the individual who reported the dolphins to them, and says if you ever come across a stranded dolphin or sea turtle, call the Stranding Hotline at 1-888-SOS-DOLPHIN (1-888-767-3657).
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