Dolphins

Young Dolphin Found Stranded On Florida Beach With A Stomach Full Of Plastic

Feature Image: Oyster Radio Blog

Late last month a young rough-toothed dolphin was found stranded on the shore of a Fort Meyers Beach with its stomach full of trash including a large amount of plastic and a balloon.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission were forced to euthanize the emaciated calf after a failed attempt to treat it. Unfortunately, the calf was already too close to death and even with significant veterinary care, the animal would have likely not survived.

Although there was a significant amount of plastic in its stomach, FWC says it has not yet determined a cause of death. In a statement to the press, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said, “Although a significant finding, there are many additional factors to consider, such as underlying illness, disease, and maternal separation, before a final cause of stranding and death for the dolphin can be determined. Samples collected during necropsy will be sent for analysis to help with this determination.”

However, the officials went on to remind the public that we need to move away from single-use plastic. Also, FWC asked the public to remember to not release balloons into the environment. Although a balloon release can seem beautiful, all of those plastic balloons will end up in the ocean.

River Alterations Threaten The Indus Dolphin Population

Featured Image Credit: Zahangir Alom / Marine Mammal Commission / National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
By: Sarah Sharkey

A recent proposal that suggests straightening the Indus riverbed for a stretch of 180km may affect river dolphins in the area.

The proposal was set forth by a large landowner in Sukkur. The government has ordered a feasibility study to be done before any building proceeds.

Irrigation experts in the area believe that the modifications would negatively affect crop production in the region. The building of bank dykes on both banks of the river could prevent water from flowing in the best possible way.

The World Wildlife Foundation fears that the project would wideout the native Indus River dolphins that live in the area. A 2011 study estimated that around 918 dolphins live in the area which is a large increase from 175 in 1975. The area of the river is an important stronghold for the population of river dolphins. It is critical that their strongholds are protected, otherwise, they could easily be wiped out.

The project has not been officially approved yet by the government. However, if it was approved it could have serious negative consequences for the dolphins in the area.

Learn more from our source.

Dolphins

SeaWorld Comes To The Rescue After Three Dolphins Strand In San Diego

Featured Image Credit: 10 News
By: Sarah Sharkey

Earlier this year, three dolphins washed ashore on beaches around San Diego County. The dolphins were stranded on three different beaches.

The three separate strandings likely happened due to high surf throughout the area.

The first dolphin was spotted by swimmers around 8 AM Monday morning. They swimmers called a lifeguard but were able to help the dolphin back into the water before help arrived.

A second dolphin was spotted further north in Del Mar. this dolphin was also bleeding from its mouth so the onlookers contacted SeaWorld to come help. Unfortunately, that dolphin died from its injuries.

Finally, a third dolphin was spotted at the Children’s Pool in La Jolla. Lifeguards were able to assist that dolphin back into the water.

A happy ending for two of the dolphins is worth celebrating. The lifeguards were attributing the high surf and strong tides of the super moon to the high number of strandings. Dolphins typically feed near the shore because small bait fish are easier to trap with the beach on one side. It is not uncommon to see dolphins right offshore as they hunt for their next meal. These dolphins apparently got to close to shore to retreat to the deeper water.

If you see a stranded dolphin then please call the appropriate authorities. Moving the dolphin yourself can be dangerous for the dolphin and you. Contact experts to ensure the best possible outcome for the dolphin.

Learn more from our source.

Dolphins

Killer Whales Attack Humpback Whale Calves

Featured Image Credit: ©Steve Hinczynski

Whales are beautiful creatures that can take a variety of forms. From the large baleen whales to smaller toothed whales, many of us love them in any form. However, interactions between different whale species are not always enjoyable. In fact, many of the encounters are violent. This is especially true for interactions between humpback and killer whales.

Humpback whales participate in an annual migration towards tropical waters each year. Typically they give birth here and then head back into colder waters to feed. Along the way, they encounter killer whale pods that viciously attack them. The killer whales are attempting to kill the newborn calves. Sometimes the orcas win, other times the humpback whale calf manages to get away with the scars to show.

Researchers spent several years analyzing over 3,000 humpback whale tails and flukes to better understand this species interaction. According to Juan Capella, the leader researcher, “Because the chances of observing rake marks on young, vulnerable whales increased in the last 20 years, we think that killer whale attacks on humpback whales may be more common now than they were in the past, perhaps due to the recovery of whale breeding stocks in the Southeast Pacific after hunting was prohibited.”

Based on the study, it appears that humpback whales are attacked on their first journey to colder waters. However, after that first year, the orcas seem to leave them alone.

Learn more from the source.

Dolphins

Hong Kong Bridge Construction Negatively Affects Dolphins

VCG Via Getty Images
Sarah Sharkey

The rare pink river dolphins in Hong Kong are struggling to survive as new construction happens
in their home. Huge construction projects, including a $19 billion dollar bridge across the Pearl
River are threatening the ability of these animals to survive.

The bridge is being built across an estuary area that is a vital habitat for these dolphins.
The dolphins are already struggling to live in the area due to a growing population that has led
to pollution and overfishing.

According to Lindsay Porter, researcher at the marine mammal research consultancy SMRU in
Hong Kong, “When you increase that underwater noises, you not only stop dolphins from being
able to forage, we also stop them communicating with each other.”

The dolphins are under severe stress. The stress has been evident through skin lesions and
infections.

The Hong Kong conservation department said that it wants to designate more conservation
area in order to compensate for the building stress. However, some environmentalists have
pointed out that the other efforts to designate conservation area have not resulted in
significant help for the dolphins.

Human growth is a huge factor affecting aquatic animals everywhere. We need to continue to
find ways to improve habitats in order to offset our disturbance.

Common Dolphin Learns a New Language

Featured Image Credit:Dolphins-World
By: Sarah Sharkey

A short-beaked common dolphin seems to have lost his family pod around the Firth of
Clyde. The lonely dolphin initially had problems communicating with the harbour
porpoises that are very common in the area. After spending some time in the area, he has
started to change his speech to communicate better with the porpoises there.

Kylie, the lonely dolphin, has been making friends with the other sea creatures in the area.
Mel Cosentino, a research student at the University of Strathclyde, has been studying the
underwater records of the dolphins and porpoises. Cosentino and volunteers set up
underwater microphones to study this interesting phenomena.

Typically, harbour porpoises have a peak frequency of 130 kHz. That is much higher than
the normal peak frequencies of common dolphins, which is around 100 kHz. Kylie has now
mastered these higher pitched frequencies and is able to communicate with harbour
porpoises.

It is almost like Kylie has mastered a completely new language. Just like when humans
learn a foreign language. Cosentino had this to say about the unique situation, “This vocal
learning ability has mainly been observed in captive individuals and few cases have been
reported for wild cetaceans. If further analysis shows this to be the case, it would be the
first time a common dolphin, either in captivity or the wild, has demonstrated an ability for
production learning, where it has learned to imitate another species.”

Hopefully, Kylie is enjoying his new home and new friends.

Right Whale Dolphin Found Dead On Oregon Coast

Featured Image Credit: Tiffany Boothe/Seaside Aquarium
By: Sarah Sharkey

A right whale dolphin washed up on an Oregon beach earlier this summer. According to
experts, it is only the fourth sighting of this dolphin in over two decades on the Oregon coast.
The dolphin has a unique black and white pattern that distinguishes it from the similar body
type of the common bottlenose dolphin.

The body was taken from the beach by the Seaside Aquarium to Portland State University.
Experts will perform a necropsy in hopes of determining a cause of death.

These dolphins are extremely rare, but when spotted they are typically found in groups of 200
to 300 animals. Many times, the group can be found mingling with other dolphin and whale
species.

Unfortunately, these dolphins have experienced a steep decline due to heavy drift net fishing in
the area. The nets are found in open ocean waters and the right whale dolphin is susceptible to
swimming straight into one and getting trapped.

Oregon and California both have laws that require fishermen to use warning sounds on their
nets. In theory, the dolphin would hear it and avoid the net. However, this doesn’t always work
and right whale dolphins are continuing decline. Hopefully something can be done to help these
dolphins before it is too late!

Learn more from the source.

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