More than 100 dolphins stranded in shallow water off Cape Cod, Mass.

Simon Druker
·3 min read
More than 100 Atlantic white-sided dolphins are stranded in shallow water off Cape Cod, Mass., in what one non-profit animal protection group called the “largest single mass stranding event in our response history.” Photo courtesy of the International Fund for Animal Welfare
More than 100 Atlantic white-sided dolphins are stranded in shallow water off Cape Cod, Mass., in what one non-profit animal protection group called the “largest single mass stranding event in our response history.” Photo courtesy of the International Fund for Animal Welfare

June 29 (UPI) -- More than 100 Atlantic white-sided dolphins are stranded in shallow water off Cape Cod, Mass., in what one nonprofit animal protection group called the "largest single mass stranding event in our response history."

At least 10 of the mammals had died by the time rescue efforts began Friday in the town of Wellfleet, Mass.

Others were stranded in extremely shallow water or were entirely exposed in the mud in an area known as the Great Island at the Herring River.

At least 10 of the mammals had died by the time rescue efforts began Friday in the town of Wellfleet, Mass., while others were stranded in extremely shallow water or were entirely exposed in the mud in an area known as the Great Island at the Herring River. Photo courtesy of the International Fund for Animal Welfare
At least 10 of the mammals had died by the time rescue efforts began Friday in the town of Wellfleet, Mass., while others were stranded in extremely shallow water or were entirely exposed in the mud in an area known as the Great Island at the Herring River. Photo courtesy of the International Fund for Animal Welfare

"Our valiant marine mammal rescue team is in the midst of what may be the largest single mass stranding event in our response history. 125 Atlantic white-sided dolphins stranded this morning in Wellfleet in an area called the Herring River Gut - the epicenter of mass strandings," the nonprofit International Fund for Animal Welfare said in a statement.

"At leasleast to herd the dolphins back out to deeper waters."

The non-profit International Fund for Animal Welfare was also using the rising tide to its advantage late Friday as it worked to rescue the animals. Photo courtesy of the International Fund for Animal Welfare
The non-profit International Fund for Animal Welfare was also using the rising tide to its advantage late Friday as it worked to rescue the animals. Photo courtesy of the International Fund for Animal Welfare

The group was also using the rising tide to its advantage late Friday as it worked to rescue the animals, which can grow up to 9.2 feet in length and weigh up to 510 pounds.

The large size was making the situation challenging for rescuers.

Atlantic white-sided dolphins can grow up to 9.2 feet in length and weigh up to 510 pounds. Image courtesy of National Marine Fisheries Service
Atlantic white-sided dolphins can grow up to 9.2 feet in length and weigh up to 510 pounds. Image courtesy of National Marine Fisheries Service

Estimates put the global population of the Atlantic white-sided dolphins at around 100,000. The species is normally found in warmer parts of the North Atlantic Ocean, according to the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service.

The name is attributed to a distinctive white stripe on the dolphins' sides.

in the United States, Atlantic white-sided dolphins typically roam North Carolina to Maine, preferring to remain in temperate waters. Photo courtesy of National Marine Fisheries Service
in the United States, Atlantic white-sided dolphins typically roam North Carolina to Maine, preferring to remain in temperate waters. Photo courtesy of National Marine Fisheries Service

In the coastal United States, the dolphins typically roam North Carolina to Maine.

The animals are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • Can you spot the bear? Yellowstone guide issues challenge

    If you're able to spot the black bear in the Yellowstone National Park image you're either lucky or have a keen eye.

  • See damage left by Hurricane Beryl in Barbados as it sustains Category 5 status

    Hurricane Beryl has continued to grow in intensity, becoming a Category 5 hurricane on Monday night.

  • Texas Nurse Tirelessly Searches for Late Patient's Dog So She Can Give the Pet a New Home (Exclusive)

    Dezorey Arocha spent 11 days searching for Bear Bear the dog, after learning her late patient left behind the pup without a new owner to care for him

  • Three storms are churning in the Atlantic. Will they pose risks to Beaufort County?

    Hurricane Beryl was expected to bring life-threatening winds and storm surges to the Windward Islands on Monday.

  • Bindi Irwin's Daughter Grace Is the 'Happiest Anyone Has Ever Been' to Feed Tortoises in Sweet New Photo

    The nature conservationist shares her daughter, 3, with husband Chandler Powell

  • Many popular heat pump models recalled due to overheating risk

    Several major brands have recalled certain heat pump models in Canada because they can switch from air conditioning to heating mode following a power interruption.The recall affects Daikin, Amana and Goodman brands.The recall doesn't affect heat pumps installed for free through a P.E.I. government program for low-income homeowners, according to the province's Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action.'While the provincial free heat pump program does install some Daikin units, the reca

  • China’s Plastics Boom Is Set to Create Another Trade Headache

    (Bloomberg) -- A surge of Chinese plastic supply is threatening to overflow in the face of weak domestic demand, morphing into a fresh trade challenge for the rest of the world.Most Read from BloombergDemocrats Weigh Mid-July Vote to Formally Tap Biden as NomineeTrump Immunity Ruling Means Any Trial Before Election UnlikelyBeryl Becomes Earliest Ever Category 5 Hurricane in Atlantic‘Upflation’ Is the Latest Retail Trend Driving Up Prices for US ConsumersTrump Seeks to Toss NY Felony Conviction A

  • Mapped: Hurricane Beryl powers through Caribbean islands as Category 5 storm

    Hurricane Beryl has broken records as the earliest category 4 and category 5 storm

  • July outlook: Will summer’s sputtering start turn around this month?

    A spring-like start to summer may turn around across much of Canada this month

  • Beryl causes 'massive destruction' in St. Vincent, Grenadines

    STORY: :: Hurricane Beryl causes 'massive destruction' in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Prime Minister says:: July 1, 2024:: Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines :: Ralph Gonsalves via Facebook:: CSU/CIRA & NOAA:: European Union Copernicus Sentinel-2 Imagery / Pierre Markuse:: Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister, St. Vincent and the Grenadines:: "Hurricane Beryl, dangerous, devastating, hurricane has come and gone and it has left in its wake immense destruction. Pain, suffering across our nation at this hour.:: "Union Island has been devastated. The reports that I have received indicate that 90% of the houses have been severely damaged or destroyed.":: "And sadly, it has been reported, we do not yet know all the details, that one person died and there may well be more fatalities. We are not yet sure." Hurricane Beryl strengthened on Monday into a "potentially catastrophic" category 5 storm as it moved across the eastern Caribbean, putting Jamaica near its path after downing power lines and flooding streets elsewhere.Beryl brings an unusually fierce and early start to this year's Atlantic hurricane season, with scientists saying climate change probably contributed to the rapid pace of its formation as global warming has boosted North Atlantic temperatures.

  • Why Halifax is eyeing goose poop at its 19 supervised beaches

    When lifeguards arrive for work at the Halifax Regional Municipality's 19 supervised beaches, there's a common sight they encounter."There can be quite a lot of bird waste on the beach," said Elizabeth Montgomery, a water resources specialist with the city's environment and climate change team.This waste can enter the water, contaminating it with E. coli bacteria, and contribute to closures.Montgomery said there are multiple reasons why E. coli can get in the water, but the city is trying differ

  • Mama Black Bear and Cubs Break Into Bird Feeders

    A mama black bear and her three cubs broke into a Washington homeowner’s bird feeders in late May, with the heist caught on security cameras.Rich Saddler owns the cameras that captured the mama bear tearing apart the bird feeders on his porch in Hoquiam. Saddler told Storyful he’s noticed bears in his backyard the last two or three years, but said this is the first time they’ve gotten so close, and the first time he’s seen the cubs.According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), “bears may opportunistically seek food in human-occupied areas when natural foods are scarce. This occurs annually in early spring before natural foods become available and in late fall as bears prepare for hibernation.”The WDFW advises anyone living or recreating in bear country to avoid feeding bears and to responsibly manage garbage to prevent human-bear conflict. Credit: Rich Saddler via Storyful

  • Beryl pushes onto Windward Islands with catastrophic winds, storm surge

    Beryl, a high-end Category 4 hurricane, continues to produce catastrophic winds and life-threatening storm surge on the Grenadine Islands, Carriacou Island and Grenada.

  • Why Hurricane Beryl's 'insane' intensification has experts worried

    The first hurricane of 2024 made history in several ways, and none of them are good news, experts say.

  • Bear caught in industrial LA neighborhood, traveled 60 miles from Angeles National Forest

    A bear was captured Tuesday in an industrial neighborhood northwest of Los Angeles. It is the second time the bear has been captured this year.

  • Beryl becomes a Cat 5, the earliest in Atlantic history. Storm’s next target is Jamaica

    It is unclear where the hurricane might go past the Caribbean. Here’s what we know so far.

  • Hurricane Beryl morphs into record-breaking Cat 5 storm as it barrels through the Caribbean

    It’s too early to assess Beryl’s toll but the early reports suggested widespread flooding and damage.

  • Osprey chicks to be relocated from UK to Spain amid concern over dad's hunting performance

    Two osprey chicks are to be rehomed from Scotland to Spain amid concern over their father's plummeting hunting performance. The Woodland Trust Scotland has taken action at Loch Arkaig Pine Forest in response to the reduced fish catches by dad Louis in recent weeks. George Anderson, Woodland Trust spokesperson, said the conservation charity's default position is normally not to intervene in the ospreys' lives and let nature take its course.

  • Swelling deer herd hems in South Korean islanders

    Under the light of a moon partially obscured by cloud, the eyes of a dozen deer glow uncannily in the dark on South Korea's island of Anma. "I'm sorry to say this, but we need to get rid of them, which is our intention, even if that means we have to kill them," said Jang Jin-young, 43, one of the leaders of the village, which numbers about 150.

  • Timeline on easing Calgary indoor water restrictions coming tomorrow

    Calgary officials say they'll have more details on Tuesday morning in regards to whether they're ready to ease indoor water conservation measures as they continue to monitor the stabilization of the water system.In a regular livestream update on Monday afternoon, the City of Calgary's general manager of infrastructure services Michael Thompson said the city would review its data before making a decision."You will have an update tomorrow about whether we are ready to ease some of those reductions