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Bottlenose dolphins breaching

Landmark report reveals UK wildlife’s devastating decline

With whales and dolphins already facing many threats, a landmark report released this week reveals...
Dolphins with oil rig

Go ahead for new UK oil and gas exploration threatens whales and dolphins

Permission has been granted for the development of the UK's biggest untapped oilfield off Shetland,...
Icelandic hunting vessels in port

Whaling boat kept in port after more hunt cruelty exposed

Icelandic whale hunting fleet One of the whaling boats involved in the latest hunts in...
Commerson's dolphin

New Important Marine Mammal Areas added to global ocean conservation list

Commerson's dolphin Experts from a number of countries have mapped out a new set of...

Dolphin deaths in Australia remain a mystery

Twenty four bottlenose dolphins, almost all juveniles, have died in Adelaide’s Gulf St Vincent in the past six weeks. At the same time, thousands of inshore reef fish have washed up on local beaches. The reason for these deaths remains unknown with initial analysis of some of the dead dolphins unable to determine their cause of death. Laboratory tests of tissue samples will not be completed for another two weeks.

Local waters are up to five degrees centigrade above normal for this time of the year. At this stage the most widely accepted theory for the deaths is a toxic build up of plant-like organisms called phytoplankton, often called a ‘red tide’. Although no such tide has been observed to date, it would be the first time such a toxic build up has affected dolphins in this part of the world.

 

About George Berry

George is a member of WDC's Communications team and website coordinator.