More dolphins washed up on shore

WELLFLEET, Mass. (WWLP) - Dozens of dolphins have died in the past few weeks along the coast of Cape Cod. Right now scientists are trying to figure out why this is happening.

One hundred and two dolphins, that's how many dolphins have washed up on Cape Cod shores so far in 2012.

Researchers and residents in Wellfleet say this is a big problem because they see only about 120 dolphins in a stranding season, which typically lasts from January to April.

According to Jane Hoppe, the assistant stranding coordinator of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, “It’s really the biggest mass stranding event of a single species we've ever had in history.”

The research team at IFAW is performing animal autopsies and trying to learn as much as they can, but why so many dolphins have washed up? It’s still a mystery.

Brian Sharp, the stranding coordinator of the IFAW marine mammal research team, told 22News, “Potentially this is due to food resources. We have such a wide tide range because of the lunar cycle. We have tides of over 11 feet from the lowest tide to the highest tide."

Dolphins' social nature may also play a role. Hoppe said, “These animals are very social. They are very gregarious, so they travel in groups. So if one animal becomes disoriented, ill or injured, others may follow, causing a mass stranding event."

Even though many residents see stranding every year, they say it's still tough to see such loved animals dying.

Arozana Davis of Wellfleet told 22News, “Dolphins are such beautiful animals, and we learn great things about what they can do like communications and helping children with special needs. It stinks we see that and can't help them."

So far the IFAW has rescued and released around 20 dolphins, but reports of stranded dolphins are coming in everyday from residents.