Dolphins rarely found near Coast get stranded, die at Petit Bois Island
A pod of four adult dolphins rarely seen in this area were found dead at Petit Bois Island on Saturday, according to the Institute for Marine Mammal Studies.
The dolphins, Pantropical Spotted Dolphins, usually are found in deeper waters.
“We’ve never seen anything like this,” said Dr. Moby Solangi, director of IMMS. “Usually, they don’t come around here unless they’re sick or something is going on the deeper water.”
A report came in to IMMS on Sunday of the stranding on the island and the staff responded. They took photographs and tissue samples in the field before taking the dolphins back to IMMS for analysis.
The institute conducted two necropsies Monday and plan two more Tuesday in partnership with Mississippi State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine to determine the cause of death.
IMMS said in its social media post that it is grateful to the person who reported the stranding. Anyone who comes across a stranded dolphin or sea turtle is asked to please call the Stranding Hotline at 888-SOS-DOLPHIN (888-767-3657).
