Dolphins along the Gulf Coast are dying at triple the normal rate, scientists say.
Teri Rowles, coordinator for NOAA Fisheries' Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program, said the stranding was taking place in"some of the exact same areas" affected by the spill.At the same time, scientists studying dolphin carcasses have discovered"visible skin lesions consistent with freshwater exposure," said Erin Fougères, administrator for the marine mammal stranding program in NOAA Fisheries' southeast region.
Nearly one of four stranded dolphins examined by scientists exhibited signs of freshwater exposure, which could be related to the abnormal river flooding, the NOAA scientists said.an annual wildlife"dead zone"The cause of what NOAA is calling an"unusual mortality event" for dolphins remains a matter for scientific inquiry, and officials said they were creating an investigation team to get to the bottom of the deaths.
Scientists asked boaters and beachgoers who come across stranded or dead dolphins along the Gulf Coast to stay away and notify authorities, such as the U.S. Coast Guard, immediately.
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