The death of dolphins continues in the Tyrrhenian Sea, other specimens found stranded

    The death of dolphins continues in the Tyrrhenian Sea, other specimens found stranded

    The bodies of three other dolphins were found stranded on the Tuscan coast, causing the number of dead specimens to rise to 31 since the beginning of the year.

    Others three dolphins were found dead in Tuscany, making rise to 31 the number of specimens that have died since the beginning of this year.





    During the day yesterday a dolphin was found on the island of Giglio, while the lifeless bodies of two bottlenose dolphins were recovered along the coasts of Bibbiona and Livorno.

    I new deaths are added to the other 28 that occurred since the beginning of 2019: 13 bottlenose dolphins, 12 dolphins, 1 sperm whale and 2 specimens which could not be identified due to the advanced state of decomposition.

    According to data released by Arpat, the regional agency for the Tuscan environmental protection, every year 18 specimens are beached on the Tuscan coasts and of these 20% are found in good condition.
    This year instead, In the last month alone, 11 strandings have occurred, 9 of which involved bottlenose dolphins.

    Yesterday there were three other #delfini dead. Two bottlenose dolphins, at @ComunediLivorno and Bibbona, and a dolphin at Isola del Giglio. The table shows the trend of the strandings 2008-2018. On Arpatnews the point of the situation https://t.co/pfa8MjAwhX pic.twitter.com/KuPq5ArZm3

    - ARPAT (@arpatoscana) July 30, 2019

    Although the numbers of deaths to date are not yet alarming, it is nonetheless high figures e cause concern the fact that the deaths occur within a few days and that they are mainly affecting the species of bottlenose dolphins.

    The veterinarians of the Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Pisa are therefore investigating the cause of these deaths, currently unknown. Samples of organs and tissues of the specimens were taken for pathological analyzes, check for the presence of bacteria and viruses and check the stomach contents to analyze the diet and research any plastic materials inside the stomach that could have killed the animals.


    Pending the results, which will arrive in a few weeks, the Regional Observatory will monitor the area full-time as usual for monitor the situation.


    Thanks to the collaboration of Arpat, Maritime Direction, University of Siena, various environmental associations and over 60 public and private partners no stranding escapes the monitoring network anymore and it is therefore possible to keep the phenomenon under control.



    Read also:

    • Dolphins are dying from pollution that makes them sick with measles (and more)
    • The terrifying images of plastic balloons that are killing animals (and polluting the oceans)
    • Zoomarine, victory for the dolphins: the ban on swimming with visitors confirmed

    Tatiana Maselli

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