WELLFLEET, Mass. — Animal rescuers were able to coax more than 100 dolphins away from shallow waters around Cape Cod over the weekend after about 125 of the Atlantic white-sided dolphins became stranded.
An estimated 13 dolphins died and one had to be euthanized, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, which helped lead the rescue attempt. The nonprofit said it was the largest mass-stranding it had dealt with on the Cape during its 26-year history in the area.
There’s no set reason for why these dolphins became stranded, rescuers said. Cape Cod is known as a global stranding hotspot due to the curvature of its shores and the fluctuation of tides.
Teams in Massachusetts found one group of 10 Atlantic white-sided dolphins swimming in a dangerously shallow area at dawn on Saturday and managed to herd them out into deeper water.
Scouts also found a second group of 25 dolphins swimming close to the shore near Eastham, the organization said. Teams worked to herd them away as the tide dropped throughout the morning.
Ten dolphins died during the stranding Friday 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.
Misty Niemeyer, the organization’s stranding coordinator, said over the weekend that rescuers faced many challenges Friday, including difficult mud conditions and the dolphins being spread out over a large area.
“It was a 12-hour exhausting response in the unrelenting sun, but the team was able to overcome the various challenges and give the dolphins their best chance at survival,” Niemeyer said in a statement.
The team started out on foot, herding the creatures into deeper waters and then used three small boats equipped with underwater pingers, which make noise underwater, according to the organization.
Those helping with the rescue effort included more than 25 staff from the organization 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.
Over 100 dolphins were recently rescued by animal rescuers during a mass stranding event near Cape Cod, Massachusetts. The event, which occurred on a remote beach, saw a large pod of dolphins beach themselves in shallow waters, leaving them vulnerable to dehydration and other dangers.
The rescue effort was a massive undertaking, with volunteers and professionals working together to safely transport the dolphins back into deeper waters. The rescuers used stretchers and other equipment to carefully lift the dolphins and carry them to safety. Many of the dolphins were disoriented and in distress, making the rescue operation even more challenging.
Despite the difficult conditions, the rescuers were able to successfully save over 100 dolphins and release them back into the ocean. The dolphins were monitored closely after their release to ensure they were able to swim away safely and rejoin their pod.
Mass strandings like this one are not uncommon among dolphins and other marine mammals. These events can be caused by a variety of factors, including changes in water temperature, illness, or simply getting lost while hunting for food. In some cases, human activities such as underwater noise pollution or fishing nets can also contribute to mass strandings.
The successful rescue of over 100 dolphins near Cape Cod is a testament to the dedication and hard work of animal rescuers and volunteers. Their quick response and careful handling of the dolphins undoubtedly saved many lives and prevented a tragic outcome for these beautiful creatures.
Moving forward, it is important for researchers and conservationists to continue studying the causes of mass strandings and work towards finding solutions to prevent them from happening in the future. By raising awareness about the threats facing marine mammals and taking action to protect their habitats, we can help ensure that events like this one become increasingly rare.
