Over the weekend, a somber discovery was made on Petit Bois Island, Mississippi: four deceased Pantropical Spotted Dolphins washed ashore. The Institute for Marine Mammal Studies (IMMS) reported the unusual incident, noting the rarity of this deep-water species in the shallower Mississippi coastal region. The fact that four dolphins stranded together further adds to the puzzle.
IMMS personnel acted swiftly, documenting the scene with photographs and collecting tissue samples. The dolphins were then transported to Mississippi State University's College of Veterinary Medicine for a thorough necropsy. Veterinary experts are currently working to pinpoint the cause of death.
The IMMS expressed gratitude to the individual who reported the stranding, emphasizing the importance of public involvement in marine conservation. They urged anyone who encounters a stranded marine mammal, such as a dolphin or sea turtle, to contact their Stranding Hotline at 1-888-SOS-DOLPHIN (1-888-767-3657).
