SEA ISLE CITY, NJ – Eight dolphins were stranded and six were euthanized by marine wildlife officials in Sea Isle City on Tuesday. According to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center, the eight dolphins were identified as a pod of Common dolphins.
At this time, investigators do not know what caused the pod to beach themselves. Officials took samples from the deceased mammals for further testing.
Upon arrival two of the dolphins had been declared deceased and the other six were humanely euthanized.
“The remaining six dolphins were assessed by our veterinarian and their conditions were rapidly deteriorating,” the Marine Mammal Stranding Center said. “The decision was made to humanely euthanize the dolphins to prevent further suffering, as returning them to the ocean would have only prolonged their inevitable death.”
According to the MMSC, all eight dolphins have been transported to the NJ State Lab for immediate necropsies.
“We share in the public’s sorrow for these beautiful animals, and hope that the necropsies will help us understand the reason for their stranding,” MMSC said.
The stranding was the largest single mammal stranding incident since an increase was noted back in December. Since then over a dozen whales and dolphins have been reported stranded at the Jersey Shore.
The stranding was reported at around 3:45 pm.