Over 100 dolphins were found stranded off Cape Cod, Massachusetts, with the numbers decreasing to 10 to 20 dolphins after a 12-hour rescue effort by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). This event is possibly the largest single mass stranding in the IFAW's 26-year history.
The dolphins were located stranded in shallow mud flats of Wellfleet, in an area known as the 'Gut' or Great Island at the Herring River. The rescue operation was challenging due to the dangerous mud in the area.
Despite the efforts of the IFAW and other supporting organizations, 10 dolphins did not survive. The remaining dolphins were successfully herded back to deeper waters, with ongoing efforts to ensure their safety.
The rescue operation involved at least 25 fund workers and 100 volunteers, with additional support from organizations such as the Whale and Dolphin Conservation, the Center for Coastal Studies, AmeriCorps of Cape Cod, and the New England Aquarium.
According to the IFAW, Cape Cod is a global stranding hotspot due to the curvature of its shores and tidal fluctuations. The area sees more dolphin strandings than any other place globally.
The rescue operation faced numerous challenges, including the large number and size of the dolphins, difficult mud conditions, and the spread-out locations of the stranded animals. Despite these obstacles, the team's efforts have given the dolphins their best chance at survival.
While there is no definitive explanation for why dolphins strand, the IFAW continues its efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and release animals in need, emphasizing the importance of conservation and protection of marine life.
